A new Oregon law lets Native American students literally put a feather in their cap for graduation ceremonies.
Many Native students have worn eagle or turkey feathers with their cap and gown for years, but that adornment was never formally assured until this year. The Oregon legislature passed a bill that Governor Brown then signed in May.
Brenda Brainard is director of the 4J NATIVES Program, which supports Native American culture and learning in Eugene-area schools. She says the law is a bit open-ended.
“It says ‘items of cultural significance’, so that can be a hawk feather, any raptor feather, or something meaningful for them," Brainard told KLCC. "The fact that students can incorporate their culture into their graduation for themselves and their community is just wonderful.”
Allowing Native American students to practice and celebrate their culture is seen by supporters as a way to promote academic achievement, and improve retention and graduation rates.
Copyright 2021, KLCC.
