The Department of Education (DOE) has found that two New York agencies violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act after they banned Native American-inspired mascots and logos, a finding uncovered by the department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
According to Fox News, the findings were published in a press release Friday after the department had launched an investigation into the New York Department of Education and the New York State Board of Regents.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, said while visiting Massapequa High School on Friday, that the Trump administration will “not stand idly by” as state leaders attempt to “eliminate” the “history and culture of Native American tribes.”
“Rather than focus on learning outcomes, the New York Department of Education and Board of Regents has set its sights on erasing Massapequa’s history – while turning a blind eye to other districts’ mascots that are derived from or connected to other racial or ethnic groups,” McMahon said. “We will stand with the people of Massapequa until commonsense is restored and justice is served, and until New York comes into compliance with federal law.”
The DOE determined that the policy prohibited Native American-inspired mascots, names, and logos, while allowing others seemingly derived from different racial or ethnic groups. As a result, the policy was deemed discriminatory.
In a proposed resolution by the DOE, the plan includes lifting the ban on “Indigenous names, mascots, and logos,” distributing a memorandum to public schools outlining the changes, and sending apology letters to Indigenous tribes. These letters will acknowledge that the actions of the two agencies “silenced the voices of Native Americans and attempted to erase Native American history.”
The DOE further said that failure to comply with the resolution plan could risk action from the Department of Justice and a loss of federal funding.
The investigation was launched after a formal complaint was filed by the Native American Guardians Association in April, who claimed state agencies were forcing a school district to retire its Native American mascot.
In September, the district filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights. However, a federal judge ruled against the district. Officials estimated that rebranding, which includes altering the name and logo, would cost approximately $1 million.
