Wednesday, May 8, 2024

National Native News

The Chickasaw Nation is pooling its many resources to aid the cities of Sulphur and Marietta, Okla. in the aftermath of the fatal April 27 storm system that ravaged both communities.

First responders and Chickawaw Nation Lighthorse Police have been on-site assisting with search and rescue efforts, assessing damage, and aiding in unsafe areas.

In a statement, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said: “Our hearts go out to all of the individuals and families affected by this tragic and destructive storm. We are actively collaborating with local authorities and emergency management agencies in relief efforts and will be there to assist our employees, neighbors and friends.”

Staff assesses the condition of the Monkey Tree. (Courtesy NPS)

The storm system caused four fatalities in Oklahoma, two being in the Chickasaw Nation.

Hundreds of people were also injured throughout the state, and hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged.

Coy-a-dee (Water Boy) Salomon (citizen of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma and of Apache and Kiowa descent), a 2023 graduate of Skyline High School, wears a feather on his graduation cap in Longmont, Colo. (Courtesy NARF)

As high school and college students plan for their graduations, some Native students could face resistance for wanting to wear tribal regalia with their caps and gowns.

The Mountain West News Bureau’s Kaleb Roedel has more.

For Native communities, an eagle feather is a symbol of wisdom and strength, and given in times of great honor, like a graduation.

Every spring, however, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) hears from multiple students who were not allowed to wear an eagle feather or other tribal regalia, said Morgan Saunders, a staff attorney with the Colorado-based law group.

Saunder said parents often break down in tears when they discuss their child being denied their tribal identity.

“For many families, the wearing of the eagle feather is more important than the diploma. Because it’s something that’s given at this important time in their child’s life – they’re transitioning, often, into adulthood.”

According to NARF, 14 states have laws to protect Native students’ right to wear religious and cultural regalia at graduation ceremonies.

In recent years, several Mountain West states have passed legislation protecting that right.

In 2023, Nevada and Colorado each passed a law that allows students to wear tribal, religious, or cultural regalia for graduations.

Colorado’s legislation dictates that a student must be registered with a tribe or have a Native relative.

Similar laws were established in Utah in 2022 and in Arizona in 2021.

Saunders said families in states without those protections should review their school district’s policies, and request dress code accommodations as early as possible.

On Monday, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-CA) called upon Assemblymember James Ramos (Serrano/Cahuilla/D-CA) to deliver the first land acknowledgement to recognize area tribes on whose lands the state Capitol stands prior to opening of an assembly floor session at the California Session.

“I was moved by the Speaker’s request to perform a land acknowledgement. Tribes have always populated this state. We had no boundaries, and we resided on our long-held homelands until Europeans and settlers immigrated to what is now known as California. To acknowledge the first Stewards of the land is an important step toward healing between the state an Tribes.”

Asm. Ramos proudly represents the 45th Assembly district.

He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature.

Watch The Land Acknowledgement

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