Native teenager defends shirt as treaty rights statement

Wednesday, January 15, 2014  

A school in Saskatchewan says it won't stop a Native student from wearing a shirt that generated controversy.

Tenelle Starr, 13, is from the Star Blanket First Nation. She proudly wore a sweatshirt that says "Got Land?" on the front and "Thank an Indian" on the back after receiving if for Christmas

"It supports our treaty and land rights ... It's important," Starr told CBC News.

School officials, however, told her that some people complained about her shirt. She was told not to wear it, or to wear it inside out, but the school relented after talking to the First Nation.

"We were taught Indians were on this land first," Starr told CBC. "So why are people offended?"

Get the Story:
First Nation teen told not to wear 'Got Land?' shirt at school (CBC 1/15)