MASSAPEQUA, NY — The ongoing battle over Native American mascots in New York schools escalated Friday when U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced that the Trump administration will consider a Department of Justice investigation into the state’s ban, arguing it violates federal civil rights laws.
During remarks in the Massapequa School District—where the “Chiefs” mascot has been a flashpoint in the debate—McMahon said the Department of Education has determined the ban discriminates against Native Americans and restricts the rights of communities to preserve local traditions. She gave the state a matter of weeks to reverse the policy or risk federal legal action and the potential loss of education funding.
The Trump administration’s position aligns with President Donald Trump’s public support for 13 Long Island school districts, including Massapequa, seeking to retain their Native American-themed mascots, team names, and logos. The state previously warned it would withhold funding from non-compliant schools if changes weren’t made by June.
“This is not a First Amendment case; this is a Title VI civil rights case,” McMahon told school officials, emphasizing that the federal government is prepared to intervene if the state refuses to withdraw the ban. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also voiced support for the administration’s stance, urging state officials to focus on education, not “indoctrination.”
The New York State Education Department implemented the ban in 2023, citing evidence that Native American mascots perpetuate stereotypes and cause psychological harm to Indigenous youth. The mandate affects dozens of schools statewide, including Massapequa High School, which has been ordered to retire its “Chiefs” mascot.
Local Indigenous leaders, including members of the Shinnecock and Unkechaug Indian Nations, have criticized the use of Native American imagery in schools, arguing it fosters misunderstanding and disrespect. They also pushed back against the involvement of the North Dakota-based Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), which has campaigned in support of retaining such mascots in New York and beyond. Tribal leaders argue that NAGA does not represent New York’s Indigenous communities and that its advocacy undermines their cultural sovereignty.
“We don’t want the Board of Regents and Governor Hochul dictating,” Blakeman said, while Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office responded that the administration remains focused on funding Long Island schools, not political distractions.
The debate over Native American mascots in New York has been ongoing for years. The 2023 state directive gave schools until the end of the 2024–2025 school year to comply or risk losing state funding. While some districts have moved to retire Native-themed imagery, others have fought back, arguing that mascots like “Chiefs” honor Indigenous history rather than demean it.
Nationally, the issue has drawn attention from Indigenous advocacy groups such as the National Congress of American Indians and the American Psychological Association, which have long called for an end to Native mascots, citing research linking them to harmful stereotypes and negative impacts on Indigenous youth.
The controversy surrounding New York’s policy has now become a flashpoint in the broader culture wars. The outcome of this standoff between the federal government and New York State could set a precedent for how school districts across the country approach Indigenous representation in public education.
The Massapequa School District has long used the “Chiefs” mascot, a name that traces back to the district’s origins in the 1920s and 1930s. The mascot was adopted in a period when schools across the United States were selecting Native American-themed names and imagery, often as a way to symbolize strength, bravery, and resilience. In Massapequa’s case, the name references the area’s historical ties to the Massapequa Native American tribe, a branch of the Lenape people who once inhabited Long Island.
As the deadline for compliance looms, the state faces a critical decision: reverse the ban or risk a legal showdown that could impact schools and communities statewide.
