The New York Board of Education sought to eliminate “culturally abusive” stereotypes by nixing American Indian mascots in schools, but as far as the Trump administration is concerned, the ban itself may be discriminatory.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced Friday an investigation into the state board over whether it violated Title VI of the U.S. Civil Rights Act by threatening to withhold funding from the Massapequa School District unless it eliminates its Chiefs mascot.
The probe comes in response to a complaint filed by the Native American Guardians Association, which accused the state board and New York Board of Regents of violating the federal law barring discrimination based on race, color or national origin.
Ms. McMahon said the state is effectively “erasing Native Americans” with its 2023 policy prohibiting public schools from using American Indian names, mascots and logos.
“The U.S. Department of Education will not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools,” said Ms. McMahon in a Friday statement.
“While New York chooses to prioritize erasing Native Americans, their rich history, and their deep connection to the state, it is requiring schools to divert time and resources away from what really matters: educating our students,” she said.
She noted that the New York policy says nothing about other ethnicity-rooted nicknames.
“It is not lost on the Department that there are several mascots that refer to indigenous or ethnic groups — the Vikings, Fighting Irish, the Cowboys — and yet New York has specifically singled out Native American heritage,” Ms. McMahon said. “We will investigate this matter fully.”
The announcement came two days after President Trump weighed in on the battle over Native American nicknames in sports, citing Massapequa High School’s longtime mascot.
“I think the Indian population is a great part of this country — has a great heritage. And we were talking about Massapequa, Long Island. … They call themselves the Chiefs,” Mr. Trump told reporters.
He used the example of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, saying, “I see nothing wrong with it.”
90% of Natives support our names and imagery, specifically #Redskins @realDonaldTrump @elonmusk @Commanders https://t.co/BCyzaGGTOV
— Native American Guardians Association (@GuardiansNative) April 23, 2025
The Massapequa Board of Education sued to keep its logo and mascot, but a federal judge dismissed the district’s claim in March.
Kerry Watcher, the board’s president, thanked the Trump administration for “standing with Massapequa in our effort to preserve the Chiefs name and honor our community’s proud history.”
“Attempts to erase Native American imagery do not advance learning — they distract from our core mission of providing a high-quality education grounded in respect, history, and community values,” she said in a Friday statement.
Also challenging the New York policy is the Wantagh Board of Education, which said it will appeal a judge’s ruling against the Warriors nickname and logo used by Wantagh High School, according to News12 on Long Island.
In its 2023 policy, the New York Education Department gave public schools until June 30 to eliminate the use of “indigenous names, mascots and logos,” finding that those used without the “express consent of such peoples” violate the state’s Dignity for All Students Act.
In a frequently asked questions post, the department cited the former president of the American Psychological Association, who said the mascots are “teaching stereotypical, misleading and too often insulting images of American Indians.”
The department also quoted Germain Smith, Shinnecock Indian Nation general council secretary, who said the policy sends the message that “we’re not a symbol, we’re not a mascot, we’re not history. We’re real people that are still here and still exist.”
But American Indians are divided on the issue. Frank Blackcloud, vice president of the Native American Guardians Association, said preserving Native American themes and imagery is “not only a matter of cultural dignity, but a fundamental civil right for all students.”
“We call on federal and state leaders to help us defend these dwindling expressions or our presence and contributions,” Mr. Blackcloud said in a statement. “Maintaining a respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity, historical truth, and the civil rights of all American Indians.”
In 2011, the Spirit Lake Sioux sued the NCAA over its mascot ban after a majority of the tribe voted in favor of having the University of North Dakota keep its Fighting Sioux nickname.
The tribe lost the lawsuit, and the university ultimately changed its mascot to the Fighting Hawks.
Kerry Picket contributed to this report.
