Second bill protecting Native regalia at school ceremonies passes committee
A dance group with Owen Padilla await to perform the San Felipe Buffalo Dance at the Santa Fe Indian School Feast Day on Oct. 9, 2023. (Photo by Diana Cervantes for Source NM)
Following a lengthy discussion about what constitutes 'regalia,' a second bill protecting student's rights to wear tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies passed through committee on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 163, co-sponsored by Sen. Benny Shendo (D-Jemez Pueblo), passed unanimously through the Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee; the bill is similar to one on the House side that passed through its first committee Monday.
Bill protecting cultural expression at graduation ceremonies passes first committee
SB 163 specifically prohibits public schools and charter schools from banning students of federally recognized Indian nations, tribes or pueblos from wearing tribal regalia or items of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies or public school events.
'There's roughly 41,905 Native American students in public schools in New Mexico so this would offer that opportunity for our students to be able to wear their regalia to their graduation ceremonies and other culturally related events,' Josett Monette, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, said during the meeting. She joined Shendo as his expert witness. 'They could wear the regalia underneath or attached to the cap and gown, but they would still continue to wear the cap and gown.'
A group of Native students joined the committee meeting Tuesday to speak in support of the bill, along with multiple representatives from NM Native Vote, ACLU of New Mexico and the Bureau of Indian Education at the Public Education Department.
'My great-grandmother was only able to attend school up until sixth grade, and so when I was able to graduate high school, I was proud to share my accomplishment and walk that stage for her. However, due to restrictions from my school, I was unable to wear my traditional attire,' Alysia Coriz (Santo Domingo Pueblo), lobbyist for NM Native Vote, said to committee members. 'Our traditional clothing is our strength. It helps us to find the connection back to our ancestors and community.'
Sen. William Sharer (R-Farmington) questioned who defines regalia and what the term means for different tribes.
'What about other groups? I know this [bill] clearly talks about Native American, but what if somebody wanted to support Christopher Columbus? What if somebody wanted to put a swastika on their head for First Amendment rights,' Shearer asked the bill sponsors.
The bill defines 'tribal regalia' as items of religious or cultural significance such as 'tribal symbols, jewelry, beading and feathers.'
Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces) asked about tribes that are not federally recognized, pointing to Tortugas Pueblo in Las Cruces. Monette explained to the committee that the bill is specific to federally recognized tribes, but schools are encouraged to expand their interpretation of the bill and allow members of other groups to express their culture through dress at school ceremonies.
SB 163 now heads to the Senate Education Committee.
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