This evening, the USA Today reported that in St. George, Utah., Gary Sanden's 7 year old son of Seneca & Paiute decent, “was removed from his classroom this week after school officials decided his Mohawk haircut was too distracting” .
The 2nd graders parents choose his haircut because its popular with Native people in many places. Gary's son was only allowed to return to class after school administrators demanded a tribal letter from the Seneca Indian Tribe of New York who wrote:
“It is common for Seneca boys to wear a Mohawk because after years of discrimination and oppression, they are proud to share who they are, it’s disappointing that your school does not view diversity in a positive manner, and it is our hope that (the boy) does not suffer any discrimination by the school administration or faculty as a result of his hair cut” . (USA Today)
The school eventually allowed Gary's son to return to school with his Mohawk haircut after it was proven that there was cultural value attached to the young boys haircut. The Sanden family declined to share a photo of their kids Mohawk in fear of backlash that he might receive at school from the media's attention.
We here at Powwows.com, and on behalf of our readers would like send out our Nations strength to this family and say Thank You for reppin us proudly in Indian Country, for everyone else, this is a reminder to always be proud of your Native heritage, rock your mocs when you can, spike your mohawks, and let out a lulu to the Non-Natives of this land to let them know we're still here, alive & well, flourishing.
And maybe when Gary's son gets older, he will remind the schools of St George, Utah., and all the other schools in our country, that they can thank the Seneca's and the four other Iroquois Nations for giving us their tribal framework which inspired the founding fathers to create our U.S. Constitution. #Aho
