NYS Native American mascot ban: U.S. Education Department to investigate Connetquot district

The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into the Connetquot school district for "actively taking steps to erase its Native American mascot and imagery," the federal agency announced on Tuesday.

The district, whose nickname is the Thunderbirds, has fought a state mandate banning such imagery in public schools. But in a letter to the community in June, Connetquot schools Superintendent Joseph T. Centamore said the district was "exploring options for an alternative mascot name that remains relatable to our community, such as 'Thunder,' while maintaining imagery that feels familiar to our history, including the lightning bolt and eagle-like bird."

The federal Education Department's Office of Civil Rights determined in May that the state's ban violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded education programs on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

"The Department of Education has been clear with the state of New York: It is neither legal nor right to prohibit Native American mascots and logos while celebrating European and other cultural imagery in schools," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a news release Tuesday. "New York’s patronizing attitude toward Native Americans must end. We will continue to support the Native American community and ensure their heritage is equally protected under the law."

This latest probe came after the Native American Guardians Association, a North Dakota-based organization that describes itself as a group of American Indian-enrolled members and tribal descendants who support "Native identifiers in sports and the mainstream," filed a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, according to the release.

Officials from the Connetquot school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

State Education Department spokesman J.P. O'Hare said in a statement to Newsday: "All but one school district in New York — Massapequa — has either complied with or is actively working to comply with the state’s regulations regarding the use of Indigenous mascots ... Like the previous 'investigation' involving the state Education Department, we anticipate that the U.S. Department of Education will ignore the law — including the unsuccessful lawsuits filed by Long Island school districts — in favor of its predetermined outcome."

The state Board of Regents in 2023 banned the use of Native American mascots, team names and logos in public schools. Local Native American groups have said the school districts' mascots and imagery promote "a stereotypical image" of their community and damage Indigenous children's self-esteem.

The regulation affected 13 districts on Long Island; most have taken steps to retire their mascots or names. But four districts, including Connetquot, filed legal challenges in court to either keep their name or nullify the regulation. A judge ruled against the districts in March.

Districts were given until June 30 to comply with the mandate. The Wantagh and Connetquot districts were recently granted deadline extensions.

The U.S. Education Department became involved in the controversy after President Donald Trump announced his support for the Massapequa district, which is fighting to keep its "Chiefs" name and mascot, which portrays a Native American in a headdress.

The federal agency has referred its investigation into the matter to the Department of Justice.