{"id":34018,"date":"2022-05-26T01:09:57","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T06:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/tribal-regalia-on-parade-at-many-montana-graduations\/"},"modified":"2022-05-26T01:09:59","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T06:09:59","slug":"tribal-regalia-on-parade-at-many-montana-graduations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/tribal-regalia-on-parade-at-many-montana-graduations\/","title":{"rendered":"Tribal regalia on parade at many Montana graduations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tribal regalia on parade at many Montana graduations<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Clara Caufield, NSNT Correspondent<\/p>\n

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May is graduation month.\u00a0 On and near the Montana reservations and off reservation schools and colleges, many tribal graduates are opting to celebrate the milestone ceremonies by wearing beautifully beaded graduation caps, tribal dresses, moccasins, feathers etc., a colorful statement of pride for tribal heritage.<\/p>\n

This right is guaranteed in Montana due to P.L. 2-1-315 which protects the right to wear tribal regalia and cultural objects at Montana High School graduations.\u00a0 That bill, enacted in 2017 was originally sponsored by Senator Jen Gross, MT S from Billings, then strongly endorsed by the Montana Legislative Indian Caucus, such as Jason Small, Northern Cheyenne, SD 21: Representative Sharon Peregoy, Crow (with 22 years of legislative service under her belt); Representative Jonothan Windy Boy, Chippewa-Cree (more than two decades of legislative service); the Montana State Indian Affairs Committee and other good hearted legislatures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a problem and we had to address it,\u201d Small said.\u00a0 He also mentioned that despite enactment of that Montana law, it was not uniformly observed by some schools in Montana.\u00a0 \u201cI think that on the Flathead Reservation, some schools are not following the letter of the law,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Thus, several members of the Montana Indian Legislative Caucus met with the Montana High School Association to underscore the intent and purpose of the Indian Regalia Act. \u201cThey were receptive, he noted, \u201cbut each local school board in Montana is responsible for following through.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Peregoy explained: \u201cWe had heard many stories about bias against Native students who wanted to demonstrate their pride and heritage at graduation \u2013 truly a milestone ceremony.\u00a0 Ironically, it was better to have a non-Indian carry the bill. She was happy to do so, having heard many concerns from the Billings native students, denied the opportunity to express themselves during graduation ceremonies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recently, the Native Western Voice organization reminded Native students and families about this law, asking that concerns about this matter, still on-going in parts of Montana, be shared so that Native advocacy groups could mount a challenge of any violations.<\/p>\n

The wearing of traditional regalia at graduation ceremonies now underscored by State law, has not always been so.\u00a0 For example, Shawnee Realbird, enrolled member of the Crow Tribe had trouble with that when graduating from the Red Lodge High School in 2018.\u00a0 Red Lodge, ironically is named after a band of Crow Indians who traditionally occupied that country in pre-reservation days, noted for their \u201cred\u201d lodges.<\/p>\n

As the sole native graduate, Shawnee\u2019s grandparents, Alma and Henry Realbird attended, bringing a blessed eagle feather to attach to her graduation cap and special moccasins, made at great labor.\u00a0 The school officials denied both the eagle feather and the moccasins, however at the last minute when the graduates were in line, Shawnee\u2019s mother, Jerilynn Harris, quickly dashed up and tied the eagle feather into Shawnees long thick braid.\u00a0 \u201cIt was too late for then to interrupt the march, so we got away with it,\u201d Harris giggles in memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is high honor for our young ones, truly a ceremony,\u201d Harris noted. \u201cWe should be allowed to acknowledge that in our tribal ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Veteran Montana legislator, Jonathon Windy Boy, Rocky Boy, commented: \u201cI supported it. It is unfortunate that we must pass laws like this just to support and protect those who want to express their born right. It was just the way our people dressed.\u00a0 For us to have to pass a State Law to enable that is ludicrous.\u00a0 It should not have come down to it.\u00a0 Montana is way ahead of the game in terms of advancements on legislation that supports Indian rights.\u00a0 Other Tribes in other states look at us for direction.\u00a0 Now other states have passed similar legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congratulations to all the tribal graduates, from kindergarten to middle school \u201cadvancement\u201d to high school graduates, college graduates and achievers at the masters and doctorate levels.\u00a0 Wear your tribal regalia. Stand proud. You are the shining future of tribal people.<\/p>\n

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com<\/a>.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post Tribal regalia on parade at many Montana graduations<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Tribal regalia on parade at many Montana graduations By Clara Caufield, NSNT Correspondent \u00a0 May is graduation month.\u00a0 On and near the Montana reservations and off reservation schools and colleges, many tribal graduates are opting to celebrate the milestone ceremonies by wearing beautifully beaded graduation caps, tribal dresses, moccasins, feathers <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>
Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> May 26, 2022<\/p>\n

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