Confronted with state mandates, members of the New York district are appealing to President Donald Trump for assistance in preserving Native American school team names and mascots.
The Massapequa School District on Long Island is facing pressure to abandon the “Chiefs” designation, along with other Native American references, but they are requesting that Trump uphold longstanding school traditions.
District officials are urging the president to issue an executive order that would safeguard the Native American representation in schools nationwide.
“It’s not about removal; it’s about educating people about Native Americans and being proactive,” stated Kelly Wachter, Chairman of the Massapequa Board of Education, as reported by a major news outlet.
“This situation is pivotal in Massapequa, yet similar challenges are emerging throughout state education systems that are eliminating Native American mascots and identities,” she continued.
Officials have suggested wording for the executive order that emphasizes “protecting the voluntary and respectful use of Native American names, images, and symbols.”
The proposal asserts that schools should “preserve history rather than erase it” and educate future generations on legacy, pride, and unity, not censorship. It further states that institutions found involved in unconstitutional censorship or forced renaming could face funding cuts from the U.S. Department of Education.
Wachter also expressed that the proposed executive order would “stop the radical state and local bureaucrats from attempting to erase this legacy and silence its history.”
However, New York officials are opposed to this approach. In 2023, the New York State Council mandated that all schools eliminate Native American names and mascots, threatening Massapequa with funding reductions if they don’t comply.
School leaders are working alongside the Native American group Naga, which aims to mitigate efforts that seek to erase Native American history and visuals from educational and community settings across the country.
The district’s struggle with state educational policy intensified after President Trump was called upon by professional sports teams, like the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians, to reclaim their Native American names and traditions, reviving the district’s battle with ongoing educational policies.
