Education Department Investigates New York Schools Over Native American Mascots

Education Department Investigates New York Schools Over Native American Mascots

In a contentious issue surrounding cultural representation in education, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently expressed strong support for the Massapequa School District's fight to retain its Native American mascot, the Chiefs. During her testimony before a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on May 21, 2025, McMahon declared that the Trump Administration would not turn a blind eye as state leaders allegedly worked to erase the history and culture of Native American tribes.

McMahon criticized the New York Department of Education and the Board of Regents for, as she saw it, prioritizing a narrow educational policy over actual learning outcomes. She stated, "Rather than focus on learning outcomes, these agencies have set their sights on erasing Massapequa’s history – while ignoring similar mascots in other districts that connect to different racial or ethnic groups." Her comments underscore the administration's intent to back the community’s desire to maintain its traditions.

The controversy escalated after the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) filed a complaint in April 2025, asserting that the state had coerced the district into retiring its longstanding mascot. This complaint initiated an investigation, with allegations that state officials were wielding the threat of withholding funding to enforce compliance with a recent mandate requiring all public schools to retire Native American mascots.

As reported, Massapequa High School displays a mural representing the Chiefs as symbols of pride and heritage, a viewpoint strongly supported by Frank Blackcloud, NAGA's Vice President. In his statement, he emphasized the need for protecting Native themes and imagery in public schools, labeling it a matter of "cultural dignity and a fundamental civil right." He called for federal and state leaders to assist in defending these cultural representations, which many believe enrich the educational landscape.

However, the Education Department's policy, emphasizing the retiring of Native American mascots, raises concerns over perceived discrimination. While it prohibits various Native American-inspired names, mascots, and logos, it allows names derived from other racial or ethnic groups. This inconsistency has led many to label the policy itself as discriminatory.

In September 2025, the Massapequa district filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging violations of its First Amendment rights. Unfortunately for the district, a federal judge ruled against their claim, and officials estimated that rebranding-related costs could exceed $1 million.

President Donald Trump has also publicly denounced the state mandate, labeling the calls to change the mascot as "ridiculous" and an affront to the Native American community. With rising tensions and mounting legal challenges, the Department of Education announced plans to potentially rescind the ban on Indigenous names, mascots, and logos while also extending an olive branch through apologies to Indigenous tribes for past actions seen as erasing their history.

The stakes are considerably high, as the Education Department's proposed resolutions could avert further legal action from the Department of Justice, including the threatened loss of federal funding. This scenario reflects the broader challenges facing educational institutions in navigating cultural sensitivity and representation as they respond to the evolving societal norms around such issues.