{"id":23463,"date":"2025-02-19T13:13:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:13:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/students-consider-the-impact-of-senate-bill-163\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T04:36:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:36:21","slug":"students-consider-the-impact-of-senate-bill-163","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/students-consider-the-impact-of-senate-bill-163\/","title":{"rendered":"Students consider the impact of Senate Bill 163"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Kirtland
Kirtland Central High School graduate Keira Beall-Gleason gets some assistance from junior Kaydence Yazzie in retying her moccasins wrap during the commencement ceremony Thursday at Bill Cawood Field. (Curtis Ray Benally\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The proposed Senate Bill 163<\/a>, which would prevent school bodies from prohibiting tribal-enrolled students in wearing traditional regalia at graduation and other public school events, has been approved by the Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee with all votes in favor.<\/p>\n

Sen. Benny Shendo, Jr. and Rep. Doreen Wonda Johnson sponsored the bill that will now be reviewed by the Education Committee.<\/p>\n

If the bill passes, it would not only permit tribal regalia that is worn but also items ornamenting graduation hats, such as feathers and beading.<\/p>\n

In 2024, Farmington High School was criticised by the community and leaders when a Lakota graduate was prohibited from wearing her a\u00f3pazan \u2013 the Lakota term for a plume or feather worn in the hair \u2013 attached to the top of the cap.<\/p>\n

According to the 2023-2024 Public Education Department Tribal Education Status Report<\/a>, 36,423 Native American students attended New Mexico public schools.<\/p>\n

Graduation is considered a milestone within the bill synopsis<\/a>, and the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department noted that Native students wish to wear items of cultural significance to reflect achievement, respect and celebration.<\/p>\n

\u201cFostering an atmosphere where all students feel safe expressing their identities without fear of punitive actions or marginalization positively impacts students\u2019 psychological well-being and sense of belonging,\u201d the bill synopsis says.<\/p>\n

Students in San Juan County shared similar thoughts of belonging and identity.<\/p>\n

Keyilnaazbaa Howard, a sophomore at Newcomb High School, said wearing her regalia represents her family and community.<\/p>\n

Tristian Lee, another sophomore at Newcomb, shared a similar view on generational regalia that has been passed down within a family.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re representing all your ancestors because within one Navajo there are so many generations that come with that,\u201d Lee said. \u201cYour father, your mother, the wind, the rain, the water, it\u2019s all sacred. When you put in all that traditional knowledge, you feel that sacredness to be built hozho.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kaius
Kaius Rosenburg, left, and Kailiah Peters, seniors at Shiprock High School both hold regalia as a sense of home with many fond memories of their loved ones that have passed. (Courtesy of Central Consolidated Schools)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Kaius Rosenburg and Kailiah Peters, seniors at Shiprock High School, said their tribal regalia make them feel a sense of home and safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cRegalia is a way of carrying our people with us,\u201d Rosenburg said. \u201cYou can think of family, you can think of friends, or you could just think of everyday people in your community.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Peters, memories of family members are also a significant part of her regalia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey hold the people I no longer have with me anymore,\u201d she said. \u201cAll the prayers that have been done for me on my jewelry is so important to have. On a day like graduation, it\u2019s just everything \u2013 I can\u2019t imagine not having it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cody Tsinnijinnie, senior at Kirtland High School, gains confidence and support from his regalia, while Nevaeh Sandoval, a junior, feels protection when wearing her turquoise.<\/p>\n

Wearing regalia can also make an individual feel like they are seen, said Makenna Pete, a junior at Farmington High.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to see me, but also see my culture because that is a part of me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"From
From left, Cody Tsinnijinnie, Nevaeh Sandoval, and Kaydence Yazzie stand at Kirtland Central High School. (Courtesy of Central Consolidated Schools)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

All of the students interviewed plan to wear traditional regalia at graduation and are hoping to see the bill passed.<\/p>\n

According to the bill synopsis, at least 15 states have established legal protection for the wearing of tribal regalia at school ceremonies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m happy that they\u2019re making a bill now, but it should have been a long time ago,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n

Pete said she was anticipating action to happen, considering what took place at the 2024 Farmington High graduation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been raised on the reservation,\u201d said Rosenburg. \u201cI\u2019ve always gone to schools that were on the reservation, so I\u2019ve never had a problem with feeling discriminated against.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Rosenburg and Peters, wearing regalia at school ceremonies is the norm.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce I found out about it, it was just kind of like, why is it even a question? Why can\u2019t we wear what we want to wear, and represent ourselves?\u201d said Kaydence Yazzie, a senior at Kirtland High. \u201cIn some cases, it\u2019s a really big accomplishment for certain students, and I just don\u2019t understand why do we have to keep asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

If the bill passes, Sandoval said it would also have an impact for Native students in urban areas, who may struggle with impostor syndrome.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want them to be proud,\u201d Yazzie said in reference to younger generations, \u201cto understand that it has a deeper meaning. I feel like the bill passing would definitely be a milestone for us Native Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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