Native Issues
Graduation rights
Feb 13, 2025

New Mexico bill aims to protect Native American students' right to wear regalia at graduation


February 13, 2025

Following an incident in May where a Farmington High School student was told to remove a graduation cap adorned with Native American beads, New Mexico state senators are pushing a bill to protect Native American students' right to wear tribal regalia at graduation and school events. Senator Benny Shendo's bill aims to ensure students can proudly display their cultural heritage without fear of punishment. While some lawmakers raised concerns over potential misinterpretation of what constitutes regalia, the bill passed with unanimous support and will soon be considered by the Senate Education Committee.

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