The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Dakota is conducting a survey aimed at enhancing Indigenous students’ understanding of their rights, particularly concerning the use of tribal regalia and cultural expression in schools. This initiative comes in response to ongoing concerns about the treatment of Indigenous cultural symbols within educational institutions across the state.
Survey Focuses on Cultural Expression Rights
The survey, distributed to Indigenous students throughout North Dakota, seeks to assess their awareness regarding legal protections related to tribal regalia. According to Cody Schuler, the advocacy manager for the North Dakota ACLU, the state is one of only 14 in the U.S. that offers specific legal protections beyond the First Amendment for tribal symbols. Despite these protections, Schuler receives numerous inquiries from students each year regarding their rights associated with wearing tribal regalia in public schools.
“We’re always looking for ways to better understand how people understand their rights,” Schuler stated. He emphasized the importance of education about these rights, noting that Indigenous students, as U.S. citizens, have the constitutional right to celebrate and express their cultural heritage.
The survey consists of 18 questions designed to gather insights into students’ experiences with tribal regalia during school ceremonies. It explores whether students feel their regalia is treated differently from other cultural expressions, who determines the acceptance of such regalia in schools, and the personal impact when their cultural expressions are restricted. Furthermore, it solicits suggestions for improving protections for students’ cultural rights.
Context and Community Impact
This initiative follows an incident in Grand Forks last spring, where parents reported that Indigenous students were prohibited from wearing traditional beadwork on their graduation caps. In response to the concerns raised, district leaders announced plans to introduce stoles specifically for American Indian students starting this academic year.
Schuler underscored the significance of allowing Indigenous students to express their cultural identity, stating that Indigenous culture is integral to the identity of North Dakota. “This is North Dakota. The very name of our state is taken from Indigenous language,” he remarked, highlighting the deep-rooted connection between the state and its Indigenous communities.
The ACLU’s survey is not a scientific study but rather an informal effort to gauge the current landscape of cultural expression rights among Indigenous students. It aims to provide a clearer picture of how these rights are understood and exercised within North Dakota’s educational system. “It will give us a little bit of a pulse on what’s happening around the state,” Schuler added, indicating that the findings may inform future educational or policy initiatives.
As the ACLU continues its mission to defend First Amendment rights and combat censorship, this survey represents a proactive step toward ensuring that Indigenous students are informed and empowered regarding their cultural rights in educational settings.
