The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday that its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched an investigation into the New York Department of Education and the New York Board of Regents.
The investigation will focus on a reported violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, stemming from New York’s threat to withhold funding from the Massapequa School District if it fails to eliminate its “Chiefs” Native American mascot.
The move comes after the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) filed a formal complaint with the OCR. NAGA alleges that the New York Department of Education and the Board of Regents are unlawfully discriminating against the Massapequa School District based on its association with Native American culture by demanding the removal of the long-standing mascot.
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U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a strong statement regarding the investigation. “The U.S. Department of Education will not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools,” Secretary McMahon stated. “While New York chooses to prioritize erasing Native Americans, their rich history, and their deep connection to the state, it is requiring schools to divert time and resources away from what really matters: educating our students. It is not lost on the Department that there are several mascots that refer to indigenous or ethnic groups – the Vikings, Fighting Irish, the Cowboys – and yet New York has specifically singled out Native American heritage. We will investigate this matter fully.”
Frank Blackcloud, Vice President of NAGA, welcomed the federal intervention. “The Native American Guardians Association stands firm in asserting that the preservation of Native themes and imagery in New York public schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but a fundamental civil right for all students,” said Blackcloud. “We call on federal and state leaders to help us defend these dwindling expressions or our presence and contributions. Maintaining a respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity, historical truth, and the civil rights of all American Indians.”
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Kerry Watcher, President of the Massapequa Board of Education, also expressed gratitude for the support. “We thank the Department of Education and the Trump Administration for standing with Massapequa in our effort to preserve the Chiefs name and honor our community’s proud history. We’re especially grateful to the Native American Guardians Association for its support and advocacy. Attempts to erase Native American imagery do not advance learning—they distract from our core mission of providing a high-quality education grounded in respect, history, and community values,” Watcher stated.
The OCR investigation will now assess whether New York’s actions constitute discrimination based on race and national origin under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on these grounds in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for school districts across the nation grappling with similar mascot controversies.
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