Resident says district rules barred Native regalia at graduation; cites 2021 Kansas law

During the public forum at the Salina Public Schools Board of Education meeting June 10, a community member said district graduation rules prevented a Native graduate from wearing traditional regalia and cited state law she said guarantees the right to wear cultural items at public ceremonies.

The comment matters because it alleges the district’s graduation dress guidance conflicted with a 2021 Kansas statute that, according to the speaker, protects the right to wear tribal regalia at public events.

Keeley Denning told the board her granddaughter, who graduated this year with a 3.8 grade point average and had been awarded an eagle feather by her tribal chief, was informed two weeks before graduation that caps and gowns "may not be embellished or decorated" and that "only seniors with appropriate graduation regalia will be allowed to participate." Denning said the student did not wear her eagle feather or a sash sent by the tribe because of the district’s rule.

Denning cited state law during her remarks: "Kansas statute sixty‑five 321 B prohibits any state agency or municipality, including school districts, from prohibiting an individual from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at public events, including public graduation ceremonies." She told the board she had called around and that no one she contacted knew of the law.

Board members did not take action during public forum; a board member thanked Denning for sharing her concerns and the board asked staff to look into the issue outside the public forum. The meeting record shows no formal policy change or vote on the matter at that session.

Denning said another Native student wore an eagle feather in his hair this year but had worn it in a different style; she said she will continue to follow up on the matter for future graduations.