Christian Titman. Photo from Facebook

A young member of the Pit River Tribe filed a lawsuit against a public school district in California today after being told he can't wear an eagle feather on his graduation cap.

Christian Titman, 18, was given the feather by his father and grandfather. But Clovis Unified School District denied his requests to wear it to graduation this Thursday, The Fresno Bee reported.

“The eagle feather is not only a signature of my tribe but it also represents the pride I have for my tribe, my people and my heritage,” Christian, a senior at Clovis High School, told the paper. “When I have feathers on I’m connected with ancestors before me.”

Titman said her son was willing to agree to a compromise to have the eagle feather tied to his hair instead of his cap. But the family decided to sue when the school district refused to consider changing its policy in the future.

“Why should we fight it and have another go right in our footsteps and do it again?” Titman told the Bee.

The lawsuit was filed in state court.

Get the Story:
Clovis High senior says school won’t let him wear eagle feather on graduation cap (The Fresno Bee 6/1)
Clovis school district sued over graduation dress code (KCRA 6/1)

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