The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Dakota has launched a survey aimed at Indigenous students to assess their understanding of their rights, particularly regarding tribal regalia and cultural expression in educational settings. This initiative comes amid ongoing discussions about the rights of Indigenous students within the state.
North Dakota provides legal protections for tribal regalia that extend beyond the First Amendment, according to Cody Schuler, the advocacy manager for the ACLU of North Dakota. Despite these protections, Schuler notes that he receives numerous inquiries each year from Indigenous students seeking clarity on their rights related to tribal regalia in public schools. “We’re always looking for ways to better understand how people understand their rights,” Schuler stated. “It is a constitutional right for them as United States citizens… to honor and revere those cultures.”
Last spring, a significant incident in Grand Forks highlighted the issue when parents reported that the local school district prohibited Indigenous students from wearing traditional beadwork on their graduation caps. Following that event, district leaders announced plans to introduce stoles for American Indian students starting this academic year.
Survey Aims to Assess Rights Awareness
The ACLU’s survey, distributed to Indigenous students across North Dakota through teachers, social media, and word of mouth, serves as a “temperature check” on students’ awareness of their rights concerning regalia and cultural expression. The survey comprises 18 questions designed to capture students’ experiences with wearing tribal regalia during school ceremonies. It addresses whether students feel their regalia is treated differently compared to other cultural expressions, who decides on the allowance of regalia in schools, and the personal impact of restrictions on Indigenous cultural expression.
Schuler emphasized the importance of allowing Indigenous students to express their cultural identity during school events. He pointed out that Indigenous culture is deeply woven into the fabric of North Dakota’s communities and the state’s identity itself. “It’s so important for our Indigenous people to be able to share their culture and to express their culture and their religion,” he remarked. “The very name of our state is taken from Indigenous language.”
Informal Study to Drive Awareness and Policy Change
The ACLU is a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending First Amendment rights and combating censorship. Schuler described the Tribal Regalia and First Amendment Rights in North Dakota survey as an informal, non-scientific study intended to gather insights that could inform future education or policy initiatives. “It will give us a little bit of a pulse on what’s happening around the state,” he added.
By initiating this survey, the ACLU of North Dakota aims to foster a greater understanding of Indigenous rights among students, encouraging them to engage with their cultural heritage confidently. As the state continues to navigate these complex issues, this effort represents a step towards enhancing awareness and protecting the rights of Indigenous students throughout North Dakota.
