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Date Posted: 09:55:29 06/09/04 Wed
Author: Anna
Subject: A Young Native American Warrior denied to participate in Graduation

Native American student protests graduation removal
By Emily Jones


Derek Brown, 2004 graduate of Century High School, discusses his removal from graduation ceremonies for having his grandmother decorate his mortar board with an eagle feather and beads.



FORT HALL - The Fort Hall Tribal Attorney's office is investigating whether a Century High graduate's civil rights were violated when he was not allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies Monday wearing a cap adorned with an eagle feather.

Derek No-Sun Brown said his grandmother beaded the cap, which featured beading on the corners and an eagle feather that was blessed by his grandfather next to the tassel.


When it came time for graduates to proceed into the ceremony, Brown said he was told to switch caps or not participate.

Brown chose to leave, and was escorted out by a police officer and Idaho State University campus security.

In an earlier interview, Century High School counselor Scott Tyson said students were told several times not to wear anything that would draw attention to themselves, and to wear the caps and gowns given to them by the school.

"We tell them verbatim, no student may come in with a lei or a headdress or a sombrero or a kilt or a kimono, not anything they hadn't gotten from their high school," he said.

Brown said he knew he might be asked about his cap, but he did not think he would be barred from participating.

"I didn't think they would make such a big deal about a plume," he said.

Brown said Tuesday that his eagle feather is a religious symbol, no different than the crosses around some students' necks or the CTR (Choose the Right) rings worn by some LDS students.

"I didn't understand why," Brown said. "Why wouldn't they let me represent my culture?"


In October, Brown plans to enroll in the Institute of Native American Art in Santa Fe, N.M. He attended Idaho State University this year as part of a dual-enrollment program.
In a press release from his family, they stated they are proud of Brown.
"Many parents witnessed their child cross the stage, but not many will ever witness their child standing up for civil rights," the release continued.
"Don't schools teach cultural diversity?" Brown said. "Then they pull me out of my graduating class because of a feather and some beads."

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