Tribal Regalia at Graduations
On April 9, 2025, the Office of Indian Education released the AZ Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit for Students and Families, designed to provide valuable resources and guidance to help families and students navigate the wearing of tribal regalia in graduation ceremonies.
On April 17, 2025, the AZ Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit for School/District Administrators and Governing Boards was released to provide additional guidance around procedures for the wearing of tribal regalia at graduation. Both toolkits have been created at the request of Arizona's tribal nations and Superintendent of Schools, Tom Horne.
View Student & Families Toolkit
View Administrators and Governing Boards Toolkit
On April 20, 2021, Governor Ducey signed HB 2705 relating to the use of tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies.
The following provisions from HB 2705 apply to all school districts and charter schools (A.R.S. 15-348):
- Prohibits school district governing boards and charter school governing bodies, or any public school, from preventing the following students from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies:
- Students who are members of a federally recognized Native American tribe, or
- Students who are eligible to be enrolled as members of a federally recognized Native American tribe.
- Defines “objects of cultural significance” and “traditional tribal regalia” to include an eagle feather or eagle plume.
This legislation was passed and signed with an emergency measure, and the above provisions are effective April 20, 2021.
The Arizona Department of Education is grateful for the work of former Representative Arlando Teller and his successor Representative Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, both of whom helped ensure the passage of HB 2705.
Questions: [email protected]
E-LEARNING
TRGT 101: What You Neet to Know About A.R.S. 15-348 & Arizona's Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkits
This webinar provides an overview of the Toolkits and best‑practice recommendations, as well as guidance for training staff and volunteers on A.R.S. §15‑348 prior to graduation. OIE offers this brief, easy‑to‑follow webinar at no cost to participants. Upon completion, attendees earn 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU).
Register for TRGT 101: What You Need to Know About A.R.S. §15‑348 and Arizona’s Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkits through ADE Connect and the Arizona Professional Learning & Development (APLD) platform.
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Create an ADE Connect account, or access your existing account. These instructions provide step-by-step details and lead you to the APLD section required to register for the webinar. |
MEDIA
Video - Arizona School Boards Association
What School Boards should know about tribal regalia at graduation. Under A.R.S. 15-348, school governing boards may not prohibit students who are members of, or eligible to be enrolled in, a federally recognized tribe from wearing tribal regalia or items of cultural significance, including eagle feathers, during graduation ceremonies. School board members play a crucial role in ensuring their district's policies and practices support both compliance and respect. The toolkit also underscores the importance of training staff and volunteers, particularly in the handling of eagle feathers, which are protected under federal law and cannot be removed by school personnel.
Video from ASBA: Your Guide to the AZ Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit
On October 9, 2025, OIE Professional Learning Specialist, Elaine Mollindo, was awarded the Community Service of the Year Award from the National Indian Education Association for her work on creating the AZ Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkits. Listen to her acceptance speech below! Congratulations Elaine!
