Tribal regalia protections expand ahead of 2025 graduations

More Native students will wear tribal regalia at their 2025 graduation ceremonies as 20 states now have laws protecting the right to cultural expression during commencements, according to reporting by ICT.

New Mexico became the latest state to adopt such protections with the passage of Senate Bill 163, signed March 19 by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The law prohibits schools from barring Native students from wearing traditional clothing, accessories or objects during graduation. It took effect immediately.

“This legislation represents our commitment to honoring and respecting the rich cultural heritage of New Mexico’s Native communities,” Grisham said at the signing.

Regalia bills are also pending in Wisconsin, and incidents of denied regalia in 2024 continue to prompt legal action and policy change across the U.S.