Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Native American High School Graduate Sues School District for Forceful Removal of Sacred Eagle Plume at Graduation

High school graduate Lena' Black, an enrolled member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and of Osage descent, filed a lawsuit on May 15 against the Broken Arrow School District for violating her rights to free exercise of religion and freedom of speech.

At Black's 2022 high school graduation, school officials attempted to forcefully remove a sacred eagle plume Black wore on her cap. The plume, which she received in ceremony when she was three years old, was damaged by the attempt. Black said she passed several checkpoints leading up to the ceremony before being approached by a school counselor and security guard who "kept trying to take it off her."

Black told Tulsa World told the Tulsa World the feather was attached to her mortarboard and that she had been told previously that the feather would be allowed because of its cultural significance.

https://nativenewsonline.net/education/native-american-high-school-graduate-sues-school-district-for-forceful-removal-of-sacred-eagle-plume-at-graduation

 

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