Indigenous Student Sues Tacoma Public Schools Over Graduation Regalia Ban

Gracie Belle Ray, an Indigenous student affiliated with the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, has filed a lawsuit against Tacoma Public Schools after being prohibited from wearing her tribal regalia, a sacred button blanket, during her graduation ceremony at Lincoln High School. The lawsuit, filed on December 18, 2024, claims Ray was told she could not wear the blanket, gifted by the Nisqually Tribe, under threat of exclusion from graduation activities. Despite being denied her right to wear the blanket, other students were permitted to wear their culturally significant garments, leading to claims of discrimination. The suit argues that the school's actions violated Washington state law designed to protect Indigenous students' rights to wear cultural attire during graduation. Tacoma Public Schools has apologized and initiated an investigation, demonstrating a commitment to preventing similar issues in the future.

Ray's legal action seeks unspecified damages for ongoing emotional distress related to the incident, underscoring the broader challenges faced by Indigenous students in asserting their cultural rights within educational institutions. The outcome could influence how schools accommodate cultural practices and promote inclusivity.