National
Jodi Rave: Express tribal identity at graduation


"[A]cross the country, Native students are battling school officials over the right to wear sacred eagle feathers, a revered cultural item for tribes all over the United States.

In some cases, school officials have humiliated Native graduates.

Last year, a high school student in Portland, Ore., had eagle plumes pulled from her head. And a student in Pocatello, Idaho, was removed from his high school procession because he wore an eagle feather.

This year, high school students in Mesa, Ariz., prevailed. The school had banned wearing eagle feathers with caps and gowns at Westwood High School, where 225 Native students attend classes.

Ryan Wilson, president of the National Indian Education Association, said many people in reservation communities can't believe Native students face these problems, which happen mainly in urban areas.

But he tells them: �Trust me. It happens. It happens all over the place.�"

Get the Story:
Graduation is a time to celebrate your culture (The Missoulian 5/28)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave Lee - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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