Long Island School District Pressured to Reconsider Team Name

Federal authorities are urging the Long Island School District to revert to a Native American-themed team name, which the school had previously altered to comply with a state mandate.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education stated that the Connetquot Central School District breached Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it changed its mascot from “Thunderbird” to “T-Bird,” as noted by the department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

In 2023, the New York State Department of Education and Board of Regents enacted a ban on the use of Native American names, mascots, and logos in public schools. Schools that do not comply by the end of the 2024-25 school year may face penalties, including a reduction in state funding.

Like other schools across the state, Connetquot Central School District agreed last year to change its name to meet these regulations.

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed a settlement agreement that would allow the school district to restore the original name.

“We cannot allow ideological perspectives to dictate which mascots are deemed acceptable based on national origin,” declared Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Ritchie. “Equal treatment under the law is essential.”

Ritchie emphasized that her office is pushing for a resolution that would reinstate the Thunderbirds team name. She expressed hope that the school district would take appropriate measures to rectify the civil rights violations and comply with the proposed resolution agreement.

A representative from the Connetquot Central School District mentioned that they are currently reviewing the findings from the department.

A prior investigation by the Department of Education concluded that New York’s ban on Native American mascots and emblems contravened federal civil rights law. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has warned that federal funds could be at risk if states do not reverse their stance on these symbols.

The inquiry originates from a complaint submitted in April by the Native American Guardian Association (NAGA), which argued that state officials compelled the Massapequa School District, known for its Chiefs mascot, to relinquish it. Advocacy groups contend that the 2023 ban is discriminatory and infringes upon the 14th Amendment’s promise of equal treatment under the law.

Following a lower court’s dismissal last November, preparations are underway for a lawsuit to be filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. “The ‘Indigenous Name Ban’ law is offensive and clearly unconstitutional,” stated NAGA attorney Chap Petersen. “Its existence is a disgrace, not only to Native American communities but to all Americans.”