Story perspectives

School District Faces Backlash for Mascot Change Violation

1/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights found the Connetquot Central School District violated civil rights law by changing its mascot from "Thunderbirds" to "T-Birds" to comply with New York's ban on Native American imagery.
The department stated this change constituted race-based discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Assistant Secretary Kimberly Richey emphasized the need for equal treatment under the law and urged the district to revert to its original name.
Local Indigenous leaders expressed concerns that the mascot ban misrepresents Native American heritage rather than erasing it.

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Story summary

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights found the Connetquot Central School District violated civil rights law by changing its mascot from "Thunderbirds" to "T-Birds" to comply with New York's ban on Native American imagery.
The department stated this change constituted race-based discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Assistant Secretary Kimberly Richey emphasized the need for equal treatment under the law and urged the district to revert to its original name.
Local Indigenous leaders expressed concerns that the mascot ban misrepresents Native American heritage rather than erasing it.