Tribes, School District Say Reported Incident Involving Cheyenne & Arapaho Youth Was “Inaccurate and Did Not Occur”

CLINTON, Okla. —A reported incident involving a Cheyenne and Arapaho fifth-grader having his ponytail cut off by classmates has been called “inaccurate” by the tribes and the Clinton Public Schools.  

Yesterday, during a meeting with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes officials and the Clinton Public Schools, it was estimated that the incident did not occur as it was reported on social media. The meeting included Cheyenne and Arapaho Gov. Reggie Wassana and Clinton Public Schools Superintendent Tyler Bridges.

After the meeting, the two released a joint statement that said, in part, “while some details remain disputed, Clinton Public Schools and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes leadership agree that the initial report that the student was held down while his hair was cut is inaccurate and did not occur.” 

An investigation will continue as to what did occur and to determine what actions will be appropriate at that time, according to the statement.