Investigation Launched Amid Ban’s Cultural Discrimination Concerns
The U.S. Department of Education has initiated a Title VI investigation into Connetquot Central School District in Long Island, New York, for its efforts to eliminate its Native American mascot, the Thunderbirds, following a complaint from the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA).
The probe, announced on July 8, 2025, will assess whether the district’s actions violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Despite a prior ruling that New York’s ban on Native American mascots contravenes federal law, Connetquot reversed its opposition to the state’s regulation and began removing the imagery.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized that Native American mascots like the Thunderbirds symbolize pride and identity, not disrespect.
The investigation follows a broader inquiry into New York’s Department of Education, with the state’s policy already deemed non-compliant with Title VI, prompting further federal action.
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