Graduation dispute: Lakota student set for court over traditional regalia

“Attorney Jim Leach filed a complaint in federal court in Rapid City Monday on behalf of Aloysius Dreaming Bear arguing that the Oelrich School District 23-3 board’s decision to not allow the 19-year-old to wear the native clothing is a violation of his First Amendment rights.

“This is a culture we found here,” Leach said of the Lakota, “and it’s an attempt by a young man to make a statement of respect for his culture and his heritage and himself.” The lawsuit names board members Berline Fleming, Bonnie Anderson, John Cope, Lance Tlustos, Lisa Lockhart and school superintendent Lawrence Jaske. Dreaming Bear approached the school board members in April and asked to be allowed to wear a beaded ribbon shirt with an eagle fan and medicine bag when he graduated May 22. Board members said he could wear the clothing under the cap and gown and after receiving the diploma, remove the cap and gown to show the traditional clothing for the remainder on commencement. In his affidavit, Dreaming Bear said he was bringing the case not only on his behalf, but so future students across the state will have the opportunity to wear traditional clothing at graduation ceremonies if they want.

…The (Oelrichs) does several things to honor the Native graduates, Jaske said. Tribal students are allowed to wear eagle feathers and plumes in their hair and have star quilts at their seats. The ceremonies have included a drummer, time for a Lakota prayer and students are honored at a feathering ceremony before the commencement in which female tribal students receive an eagle plume, and males students receive an eagle feather.

“We’re one of the only public schools that allows that,” Jaske said.

As of Monday afternoon, Jaske said he had not seen the court filing.

A hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13.

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Congratulations to students and families like Aloysius Dreaming Bear who stand up for their cultural beliefs and traditions. Here is a column I wrote about eagle feathers and the right to express culture during graduation. The column begins on page 21 of the Rocky Boy News.

Jodi Rave