Indian students and their parents are pushing for the Chamberlain School District to allow an honor song to be performed at graduation ceremonies next month.

Indian students, many from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, make up 28 percent of this year's graduating class in the district, and about 40 percent of the entire student body. They say an honor song would be appropriate but in years past the board has declined the request.

“Yes, I think racism is at play in this decision,” Jim Cadwell, a bilingual instructor for the Crow Creek tribal school and a parent of three children who attended schools in Chamberlain, told The Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The board says it will vote May 13 on the issue. Graduation ceremonies take place May 18, with an Indian education event the night before.

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Chamberlain agonizes over Native song at graduation (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/25)