Education | Opinion

Column: Denial of honor song another example of racial bias





Columnist wonders why school board in Chamberlain, South Dakota, rejected an honor song at the high school graduation:
What is wrong in Chamberlain?

Because the actions of the community’s school board last week certainly were not right.

That is beyond question.

The board voted 6-1 Monday to deny a request by a group of students to perform a tribal honoring song at graduation ceremonies, which will be held today.

The stated reason for the denial was that Native American students already are recognized at a separate feathering ceremony. Other schools with similar demographics — the student population is about one-third Indian — have either one or the other, some board members said.

Get the Story:
Patrick Lalley: Help Chamberlain see the light (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/19)

Related Stories:
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe calls for boycott in honor song flap (5/17)
School board won't allow honor song at graduation ceremony (5/14)
Native Sun News: School balks at honor song for graduation (5/6)
Editorial: Allow honor song at school graduation ceremony (04/30)
Indian students push for honor song at graduation ceremony (04/25)

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