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Tribal Regalia

Learn about public students' right to wear ceremonial tribal regalia during graduation.

Issue: Indigenous Justice
Last Updated: September 2, 2025

Overview

Graduation from high school is a pivotal, once-in-a-lifetime achievement. Many Indigenous students cannot fully celebrate this achievement, from both a spiritual and cultural perspective, unless they are permitted to wear their ceremonial tribal regalia (for example, an eagle feather or beadwork on their graduation cap) during the event. Some schools have prohibited Indigenous students from wearing these items at graduation, claiming that it would violate the school’s dress code and speculating, without any basis, that it would disrupt the ceremony. However, there are various state and federal laws that protect public school students’ rights to wear tribal regalia during commencement.

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More Resources

A photo collage that displays a graduation cap and tribal regalia. Indigenous students are fighting against schools that prohibit wearing these items at graduation.
Campaign
Dec 2024

Racial Justice

Protecting Indigenous Students' Right to Wear Tribal Regalia

Graduation is a time of celebration and community. After centuries of attempted genocide and erasure of Indigenous culture and tradition, the ability to celebrate commencement in a culturally appropriate way is deeply important for Indigenous students. Tribal regalia worn at commencement are a symbol of resistance, resilience, and reclamation by students of their right to an education that honors their culture and heritage. But for some Indigenous students, graduation can be fraught with uncertainty or controversy over their ability to wear tribal regalia during commencement ceremonies. Some schools still prohibit Indigenous students from wearing items at graduation, claiming that it would violate the school’s dress code and speculating, without any basis, that it would disrupt the ceremony.
Explore campaign
Protecting Indigenous Students' Right To Wear Tribal Regalia. Explore Campaign.
Campaign
Dec 2024
A photo collage that displays a graduation cap and tribal regalia. Indigenous students are fighting against schools that prohibit wearing these items at graduation.

Racial Justice

Protecting Indigenous Students' Right to Wear Tribal Regalia

Graduation is a time of celebration and community. After centuries of attempted genocide and erasure of Indigenous culture and tradition, the ability to celebrate commencement in a culturally appropriate way is deeply important for Indigenous students. Tribal regalia worn at commencement are a symbol of resistance, resilience, and reclamation by students of their right to an education that honors their culture and heritage. But for some Indigenous students, graduation can be fraught with uncertainty or controversy over their ability to wear tribal regalia during commencement ceremonies. Some schools still prohibit Indigenous students from wearing items at graduation, claiming that it would violate the school’s dress code and speculating, without any basis, that it would disrupt the ceremony.
Protecting Indigenous Students' Right To Wear Tribal Regalia. Explore Campaign.

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