State eases part of Native American mascot ban, Massapequa calls move a ‘big victory’
The New York State Education Department announced that it will no longer seek to prohibit school district employees from wearing clothing displaying Native American-inspired logos on school grounds or at school-sponsored events.
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New York state is backing away from part of its ban on Native American imagery in schools, a move that officials in Massapequa are celebrating as a significant win in their ongoing fight to preserve the district’s Chiefs mascot.
The New York State Education Department announced that it will no longer seek to prohibit school district employees from wearing clothing displaying Native American-inspired logos on school grounds or at school-sponsored events.
In a statement, SED spokesperson J.P. O’Hara said the agency will recommend that the Board of Regents leave decisions regarding employee apparel to local school districts.
“The Department will recommend that the Board of Regents leave decisions regarding employee clothing, including apparel displaying offensive Indigenous imagery, to local school districts,” the spokesperson said.
The policy change comes as the Massapequa School District continues its battle against the state's broader Native American mascot ban, which requires districts to eliminate Native American names, mascots and logos or risk penalties.
Massapequa school officials have been among the most vocal opponents of the regulation, arguing that it unfairly targets the district’s longstanding identity as the Chiefs.
In response to the latest change, the Massapequa Board of Education called the decision a major victory.
“From the beginning, we have maintained that the Native American mascot ban is an unconstitutional overreach,” the board said in a statement. “We now call on Governor Hochul to repeal the entire regulation.”
The issue has also drawn national attention. President Donald Trump, who has previously voiced support for Massapequa's efforts to keep the Chiefs mascot, reacted to the announcement in a post on Truth Social.
“A big win for Massapequa and DJT,” the president wrote.
Many residents also welcomed the news, saying the Chiefs name has become an important part of the community’s identity.
“There’s a saying around here, ‘Once a Chief, always a Chief,’” said Massapequa resident Tom Murray. “So it’s hard to change the name, the mascot after all these years.”
Wantagh schools also welcomed the change, with Superintendent John McNamara saying, "We are pleased with this reversal and view it as a positive step in the right direction. However, further action is needed, and we urge the Board of Regents to pursue additional changes that would allow us to continue using the Warrior name."
News 12 reached out to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office for comment on the Massapequa Board of Education’s call to repeal the entire policy. A response was not immediately available.
