Native American Organization Challenges Ban on Tribal Names in New York Schools
A Native American organization, the Native American Guardians Association, is now actively opposing New York’s prohibition on tribal-themed names and logos in public schools. They recently filed a provisional injunction against the State Affairs Committee, expressing frustration about how Native culture is being interpreted and imposed upon them.
Chip Patterson, the association’s attorney, emphasized that this ban infringes on First Amendment rights. He stated, “You’re banning words, you’re banning phrases, you’re banning ideas.” Patterson further asserted that this movement contradicts the essence of the First Amendment and its intended meanings.
He pointed out that the Regent Commission, being a state agency, is obligated to uphold the US Constitution. The association, which comprises about 85,000 Native Americans nationwide, claims that the ban also violates the 14th Amendment’s Equality Protection Clause.
Schools that disregard this ban are at risk of losing state funding and facing other repercussions. The association is strongly against this 2023 ban, which gained traction earlier this year amid political debate, including comments from President Trump regarding the issue.
Members of the association stood alongside Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a tour of Massapequa High School in May, denouncing the ban as a violation of civil rights.
Patterson noted that his clients feel they represent a “quiet majority” among Native Americans who embrace names like Chief, Warriors, and Thunderbird. He also referenced a 2016 survey indicating that nine out of ten Native Americans were not offended by the term “Redskins.” He expressed concern that these efforts aim to erase an integral part of American history, stating, “They’re tired of people pretending to speak for the Native American population. It’s unconstitutional, and they can’t stand it.”
The legal actions now include challenges from Massapequa High School, with officials warning that noncompliance could lead to a significant financial burden on taxpayers. In May, the town of Long Island entered into an agreement with the organization, allowing the use of the district chief and expanding educational programs about Native American history.
Kelly Wachter, the School Board president, expressed pride in standing up for Native American history while proceeding with legal action against the state. She pointed out that the lawsuit highlights a discriminatory element in the state’s ban.
Oliver Roberts, a lawyer for Massapequa, criticized the ban as “sad and dishonest,” asserting that legal proceedings will likely nullify it. Reports indicate that easing restrictions on branding could incur costs exceeding $23 million.
A potential compromise emerged, with proposals to shorten the team name to “T-Birds,” although prior expressions from the schools fall under the ban. Patterson criticized the situation, arguing, “It could be as harmless as Thunderbirds, and as a result, you could lose school funds.”
