Turnabout Defuses Indian Garb Protest

American Indian students will be allowed to wear traditional Indian clothing underneath their graduation caps and gowns following a surprising about-face by the Albuquerque Board of Education.

The ruling means students like Lyle Jojola can wear his Isleta Pueblo ribbon shirt and concha belt to his school’s graduation ceremonies later this month.

“To me, this feels like a small victory for Native Americans and Native American rights,” Jojola said after the decision.”

The decision surprised dozens of American Indians who attended the meeting to protest a committee recommendation that no changes be made to the graduation dress codes.

Many of the students and parents told the board that their request had been misunderstood. While some students wanted to wear only traditional Indian dress to graduation, most would be satisfied wearing the clothing under their caps and gowns, they said.