May 30, 2025, 12:10 PM

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A fight over the use of native names and mascots at local schools could soon lead to a Department of Justice investigation.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon says her department found regulations adopted in 2023 that ban some Indigenous names and mascots in New York’s public schools violate the Civil Rights Act.

As News 12 has reported, the Massapequa School District sued to keep their Chief's name and gained support from President Donald Trump in their fight against the state. The state was requiring districts to phase out mascots and logos by the end of this school year.

McMahon claims state education officials are trying to erase Massapequa’s history.

The state Education Department released a statement saying, “Certain Native American names and images perpetuate negative stereotypes, and are demonstrably harmful to children.”

McMahon said, “We will ask the BOE to request to remove the mascot be taken off the table, for an apology to be issued to Massapequa, and will ask the BOE to permit any school in the state to choose its mascots.”

If they do not comply, McMahon says she does have the right to turn the investigation over to the Department of Justice.

The Native American Guardians Association was in attendance to show their support to the school district.