The U.S. Department of Education has initiated an investigation into New York’s educational practices following a dispute over Native American-inspired mascots in public high schools.
The controversy centers on Massapequa School District, located on Long Island, which continues to utilize the “Chiefs” mascot despite a 2022 mandate from the New York Department of Education (NYDOE). This directive requires all public schools within the state to retire Native American-themed mascots or risk potential loss of state funding.
Four school districts on Long Island, including Massapequa, previously challenged this order in federal court, but their lawsuit was unsuccessful.
Now, the federal government is intervening. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon released a statement Friday outlining the Department’s concerns:
“The U.S. Department of Education will not passively allow New York to attempt historical revisionism and deny Massapequa’s right to celebrate its heritage within its schools.”
McMahon further expressed concern that the NYDOE’s focus on eliminating these symbols is diverting resources away from core educational priorities, particularly noting that other mascots referencing diverse ethnic groups—such as “Vikings,” “Fighting Irish,” and “Cowboys”—have not faced similar scrutiny.
The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) by the Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA). NAGA asserts that the New York Board of Regents is violating federal civil rights law by compelling Massapequa to abandon its “Chiefs” mascot due to its connection to Native American culture.
Frank Blackcloud, vice president of NAGA, emphasized the significance of preserving these cultural representations:
“The Native American Guardian’s Association steadfastly maintains that safeguarding Native themes and imagery in New York schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but also a fundamental civil right for all students. We urge federal and state leaders to assist us in defending these diminishing expressions of our presence and contributions.”
He added, “A respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity, historical truth and the civil rights of all American Indians.”
The president of the Massapequa Board of Education has voiced support for the federal intervention.
“We are grateful to the Department of Education and the Trump Administration for their solidarity with Massapequa as we work to preserve the ‘Chiefs’ name and honor our community’s proud history,” stated Watcher. “Attempts to erase Native American imagery do not advance learning; they distract from our fundamental mission of providing a high-quality education rooted in respect, history, and community values.”
President Trump has also publicly voiced his support for Massapequa’s right to retain its mascot, writing on Truth Social:
“I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School. Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population… I don’t see the Kansas City Chiefs changing their name anytime soon! By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my highly capable Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue. LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!”
The investigation aims to determine whether New York’s mandate constitutes a violation of federal civil rights law.
