- Details
- By Levi Rickert
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education has accused a New York school district of violating federal civil rights law after it modified a Native American–themed mascot to comply with a state ban on Indigenous imagery.
The Connetquot Central School District on Long Island changed its mascot name from the “Thunderbirds” to the “T-Birds” following a directive from the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents prohibiting Native American imagery in school mascots. Federal officials said the change violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act because it was made “solely because it originates from Native American symbolism.”
The Education Department has asked the district to restore the original mascot name.
In April, the Department’s Office for Civil Rights determined that New York’s regulation banning Native American mascots violated Title VI, setting up a conflict between state policy and federal civil rights enforcement.
“Today, we found Connetquot Central School District in violation of Title VI for erasing its Native American heritage to comply with a discriminatory New York state regulation. We will not allow ideologues to decide that some mascots based on national origin are acceptable while others are banned. Equal treatment under the law is non-negotiable,” said Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department, in a statement issued Thursday.
“We expect the District to do the right thing and comply with our resolution agreement to voluntarily resolve its civil rights violation and restore the Thunderbirds’ rightful name. The Trump Administration will not relent in ensuring that every community is treated equally under the law,” Richey added.
The use of Native American names, symbols and imagery in school mascots has long been a contentious issue, with many Tribal Nations and Indigenous advocates arguing such representations perpetuate stereotypes and misappropriate Native cultures, while others emphasize community tradition and local decision-making.
Under an agreement reached last year, Connetquot was permitted to keep the “T-Birds” name and related imagery—including an eagle, thunderbolt, or lightning bolt—after dropping its legal challenge to the state’s Native American mascot ban.
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