The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) has expressed its support for New Mexico's Senate Bill 163, which aims to safeguard the rights of Native students to wear Tribal regalia during graduation ceremonies. NARF has submitted testimony advocating for this legislation.
Graduation holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for many Native students. Items such as eagle feathers and traditional clothing serve as symbols of achievement, resilience, and identity. However, some schools have prohibited these expressions, forcing students to choose between celebrating their academic success and honoring their traditions.
New Mexico is home to 23 Tribal Nations and has a history of forced assimilation in educational institutions, including the impacts from Indian boarding schools. SB 163 seeks to ensure that Native students can celebrate their accomplishments in a manner that respects their heritage.
NARF is urging lawmakers in New Mexico to pass this bill, aligning with 18 other states that have enacted similar protections for Native students' rights. The organization submitted a letter to the New Mexico Senate Indian Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee on February 11, 2025.
For those preparing to wear regalia at graduation, NARF provides resources including a guide for students and families as well as information for schools on its website.
Further details about NARF's efforts in protecting student rights at graduation are available online.
