American Indian Graduates May Don Feathers

[Breeze54]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GRADUATION_FEATHER_BAN?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

American Indian Graduates May Don Feathers
May 24, 11:58 PM EDT

PHOENIX (AP) --
American Indian high school students will be allowed to wear eagle feathers attached
to their caps at graduation, Mesa Public Schools said Wednesday,
reversing an earlier decision.

Students and elders from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community had protested
after Mesa school administrators told Westwood High seniors last week they would be
allowed to only wear a cap, gown and honor cord designating academic achievement at
the ceremony Thursday.

After meeting with tribal council members who explained that eagle feathers mark a
significant rite of passage, school officials agreed to lift the ban.

"We reflected on what they had said and felt that their request came from a
time-honored tradition," said district spokeswoman Kathy Bareiss.

Joni Ramos, president of the American Indian community, said in a statement that the
district's decision showed respect.

Eighteen American Indian students will be among Westwood's graduates.

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um, mighty ***** of the Mesa Public Schools! :sarcasm:
Gheesh! Who cares if they want to wear their feathers?
What? Would they have been denied diploma's?
What a load of crap that is!!

[Kutjara]

1. It's the old power game.

If the administrators, on hearing that the Native American students wanted to wear feathers, had merely shrugged their shoulders and said, 'sure, why not?' that would have been one thing. But, by opposing the request and then agreeing to it, they have demonstrated who is in control; where the power really lies. Not with the Native Americans, but with the decendents of the colonial usurpers. Whatever the Injuns want, they have to beg the Whiteman for. T'was ever thus.

[Breeze54]

4. Of course -

- it's a power trip! What a bunch of asshats!
Like they never ever heard of this? :sarcasm:
I wonder if this crap goes on every year?? Gheesh!
Fuck them and the horse they rode in on! (the school board!)

[greyl]

5. They did end up being reasonable, ya know.

And after only one rational conversation. ;)

From the May 22nd:

"We tried to explain the significance of the eagle feather,” said Ipa Dutchover, Salt River Pima-Maricopa, who will be graduating from Westwood High School on May 25. Dutchover and other Native American seniors at Westwood are upset with school administrators who told them they couldn’t wear eagle feathers on their caps and gowns during the graduation ceremony. “This is a big accomplishment in the Indian and non-Indian world. We’ve been able to balance both worlds by leaving the reservation and coming to a public school. We‘re holding on to what we have but they didn‘t want to hear what we have to say,” Dutchover added. “They said they want the senior class to go out all the same, as one unified group but all year they‘ve promoted diversity,” he added.

Westwood administrators say they’re simply following a practice that prevents anyone from adding items or messages to graduation caps and gowns. The practice also prohibits students from wearing flip flops and jeans...
http://www.nativeyouthmagazine.com/profiles_view.php?pfcid=8&pfid=358

I'm sure the tribal council had to fight to keep from smiling when explaining the difference of significance between flip-flops and Eagle Feathers.

[johnaries]

2. At least they're not requiring them to speak only English

and punishing them when they speak their native language, like they did back in the old days.

Hey, wait a minute......

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. the first feather earned

by a warrior was given to him for being seen as an adult member of the tribe. However, the warrior was not just given the feather. The warrior had to prepare himself to receive such an honor and that often require days of fasting and meditation.

It's fitting for them to be worn at graduation.

Leave it to the palefaces to try and fuck up another tradition. :(