American Falls High School seniors will have the opportunity to decorate the mortarboard of their graduation cap beginning this year after a meeting between Native American parents and the high school’s leadership team.
Native American parents, including Georgette Running Eagle, spoke to members of the leadership team about Native American students having the ability to decorate their caps to show their cultural heritage during the commencement ceremony.
After surrounding school district’s accepted similar conditions to their graduation attire, the American Falls School District’s JOM Native American parent committee felt it was important to bring their concerns before the leadership team.
One such decoration would be that of an eagle feather. Something only federally recognized tribe members can possess, as well as an illustration of the student’s successes in progressing through their life.
“The eagle feather can represent a variety of tributes such as trust, honor, wisdom, bravery, strength, and respect in the Native American culture,” said Running Eagle. “When an individual has reached an achievement in their life, they are honored and given an eagle feather or plume.”
Graduating from high school is an accomplishment within itself. This year Running Eagles’ daughter, Ser’Rae is graduating from AFHS and she is filled with emotions about presenting her daughter with such a special item.
“To be a parent and to be given the opportunity to give a feather/plume to my own child is a very proud and humble moment,” said Running Eagle. “It's about the significance of the good thoughts that are laid down for her as she ventures out to the next chapter of her life.”
The following is the new verbiage regarding graduation attire: In order for students to express their cultural heritage, they may decorate the edge of their graduation cap, not to exceed one inch, around the cap’s perimeter. Graduates may also wear culturally appropriate jewelry. Additionally, Native American students who are members of a federally recognized tribe may also wear an eagle feather fixed to the top of their graduation caps.
Cultural Heritage is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values.
The school’s Leadership Team will make the final determination prior to graduation. The Leadership Teams’ determination will be considered final and not subject to further appeal. Graduates who choose not to comply with the Leadership Teams’ decision will not be allowed to wear their cap during commencement. Alterations must be submitted to the school leadership time no later than two weeks prior to graduation. Graduates will again have their attire reviewed before leaving the holding area prior to graduation starting. This practice is consistent with previous graduation procedures.
American Falls High School Principal Travis Hansen said it was a collaborative effort within the leadership team to create the right plan for the final draft.
“The issue that has come up, that we knew would come up, is what does and does not fit the definition of cultural heritage,” Hansen explained.
Running Eagle expressed her gratitude to the leadership team in their consideration of allowing cultures to be represented during a pivotal point in a young person’s life.
“I am very appreciative that American Falls High School took into consideration the various ethnic backgrounds that make up the school, to allow our students to be proud of where they come from,” she concluded.
As far as a final outcome to the new graduation attire accommodations, Hansen said it is too early to know how the final outcome will be.
“This question will be better answered after graduation, but for now I feel really good about it,” he added.