Indigenous Student Sues Tacoma Public Schools Over Graduation Regalia Ban

Gracie Belle Ray, an Indigenous student from the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, has filed a lawsuit against Tacoma Public Schools after being barred from wearing her sacred button blanket at her graduation ceremony. The lawsuit, submitted to Pierce County Superior Court, alleges discrimination and negligence, stating that Ray was informed she would be excluded from the ceremony if she wore her culturally significant attire. The principal reportedly instructed staff to confiscate the blanket, while other students were permitted to wear their own cultural garments, raising concerns about equality in school policies. Washington state law protects Indigenous students' rights to wear tribal regalia during graduation, making Ray's claims particularly significant. Although the school district has apologized and is investigating the incident, Ray asserts she continues to suffer emotional distress.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, including compensation for medical expenses related to counseling. This case highlights ongoing struggles for Indigenous rights and cultural recognition in public education, with potential implications for how schools accommodate cultural identities.