Native American students in southern Utah donned beaded caps and eagle feathers at high school graduations this week, months after the state passed a law enshrining their right to wear tribal regalia at the ceremonies.
Utah is among a growing list of states where lawmakers have responded to reports of Native American students being barred from wearing beaded caps or eagle feathers at graduation by passing laws to stop school districts from banning them.
Native American students, advocates and attorneys argue that the right to wear regalia to celebrate milestones is an important cultural and spiritual practice for many tribes throughout the United States.
In 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill into law that guarantees students the right to wear tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies.