Minnesota Students Protest School’s Ban On Native American Graduation Ceremony
🎓 Minnesota students fight back against Hinckley-Finlayson school’s ban on Native American cultural expression at graduation! ✊ #MinnesotaNews #IndigenousNews #HinckleyNews
HINCKLEY, MN – The Hinckley-Finlayson School Board’s recent decision to ban a tribal drum group from performing at the upcoming high school graduation on May 24, 2024, has sparked outrage among Minnesota students and community members. On Monday, the board unanimously voted to prevent the Native American Student Association and its drum group from singing the Ojibwe Traveling Song during the ceremony, citing “legal risk” and a desire to keep the focus on the graduating students.
🎓 Students Walk Out in Protest
In response to the board’s decision, students at Hinckley-Finlayson High School staged a walkout on Wednesday, vowing to continue their protests until district leaders address their concerns. Kaiya Wilson, a student at the school, expressed her frustration to reporters, stating, “The traveling song is an honoring and medicinal healing song, it’s nothing of a performance for entertainment or any other purposes of that.”
📚 District’s Reasoning Draws Criticism
The district superintendent declined an interview but stated that the change was made to ensure the graduation ceremony remains focused on the graduating students rather than extracurricular student groups. However, Isabella Strensrudeubanks, a Native American student spearheading the protests, telling reporters: “We are not an extracurricular we are not a group, we are Native American that’s what we are it’s nothing of those titles.”
🙌 Community Support Grows
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe chief executive Melanie Benjamin noted that numerous schools and colleges across Minnesota allow Native American drum songs at graduation, emphasizing that the song in question is secular and intended “to wish people a good and safe journey in life.” AFSCME Council 5 also condemned the ban, calling it “a blatant dismissal of the rich cultural heritage and the vital presence of American Indian communities.”
🌈 A Call for Inclusion and Understanding
As the controversy continues to unfold, it is clear that the students and community members of Hinckley-Finlayson are fighting for more than just a song at the 2024 graduation. They are advocating for the recognition, respect, and celebration of their cultural heritage within the school system.
Niiyo Gonzalez, the Commissioner of Education for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, summed up the importance of this issue, telling reporters: “We should be part of any cultural expression, which is what a graduation commencement is.”
✨ Moving Forward with Hope and Unity
While the situation remains unresolved, the passion and determination shown by the students and their supporters offer hope for a future where cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated in all aspects of education.
\By engaging in open dialogue, fostering understanding, and working towards inclusive solutions, the Hinckley-Finlayson community has the opportunity to set a positive example for schools across the nation. As the class of 2024 prepares to embark on their next journey, may they carry with them the spirit of unity, respect, and the power of their cultural heritage.
FAQ: Hinckley-Finlayson Graduation Controversy
Why did the Hinckley-Finlayson School Board ban the Native American drum group from performing at the 2024 graduation?
The school board cited “legal risk” and a desire to keep the focus on the graduating students as reasons for banning the Native American Student Association and its drum group from singing the Ojibwe Traveling Song during the ceremony. They also classified the drum group as an “extracurricular” activity.
How have students and community members responded to the school board’s decision?
Students at Hinckley-Finlayson High School staged a walkout in protest of the decision, vowing to continue their demonstrations until district leaders address their concerns. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe chief executive and the AFSCME Council 5 have also condemned the ban, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating Native American cultural heritage.
What is the significance of the Ojibwe Traveling Song in the context of a graduation ceremony?
The Ojibwe Traveling Song is a secular song intended to wish people a good and safe journey in life. Native American students and community members believe that singing this song at graduation is an important way to honor their cultural heritage and celebrate the graduates’ achievements. They argue that cultural expression should be a part of the graduation ceremony.
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🗣 What do you think about this news? Want to give a word of encouragement to the Class of ’24? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
