President Trump says Massapequa schools should keep their Native American name, logo and mascot
The post from the president comes just over two months before all school districts across the state face a deadline to make the changes or face potential funding cuts.
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President Donald Trump is now weighing in on one Nassau County community's yearslong fight to keep its school name, mascot and logo.
In a post on Truth Social Monday, Trump wrote:
"I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School. Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population.
The School Board, and virtually everyone in the area, are demanding the name be kept. It has become the School’s identity and, what could be wrong with using the name, “Chief”? I don’t see the Kansas City Chiefs changing their name anytime soon! By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my highly capable Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue. LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!"
The post comes as school districts across the state face a June 30 deadline to change their names, logos and mascots if they use Native American imagery or face potential cuts to state aid.
Massapequa graduate Lauren LaRosa was happy to see the President say something about the issue.
"He definitely respects this town," LaRosa said.
The fight to keep the name "Chiefs" began in 2023 after the New York Board of Regents banned the use of Native American names, mascots and logos to address harmful stereotypes towards Native American communities.
The ban affected 13 school districts on Long Island.
Nine districts have made the required changes, while four, including Massapequa, Connetquot, Wyandanch and Wantagh, all filed a lawsuit to preserve their names. Last month, a federal judge dismissed those claims.
Still, residents are undeterred.
"This was a reservation at one point, so why change history," LaRosa asked. "Why would you want to erase it? It's been a part of us for so long."
"The Kansas City Chiefs are called the Kansas City Chiefs, so what's the big deal about here? Massapequa resident Scott Robalino questioned.
A spokesperson for the New York Education Department said Massapequa had the chance to keep their mascot if they sought approval from local indigenous tribal leaders, which the state said they did not do.
"Disrespecting entire groups of people is wrong in any context, but especially in our schools, where all students should feel welcome and supported.
In April 2023, the Board of Regents adopted regulations to end the use of demeaning Indigenous names and mascots in New York’s public schools once and for all. They were compelled to act because certain Native American names and images have been shown to perpetuate negative stereotypes that are demonstrably harmful to children.
Massapequa stayed silent during the regulatory process. They did not reach out to Indigenous leaders or engage with the Department’s Mascot Advisory Committee to determine whether its Native American team name and mascot would be permissible. Instead, Massapequa decided to pursue litigation challenging the State’s regulations. Unsurprisingly, these cases have been dismissed. State and federal courts have upheld the Department’s authority to prohibit these mascots. It is ironic that the federal government now seeks to intervene on an issue that is squarely reserved to the States.
If members of the Massapequa board of education are genuinely interested in honoring and respecting Long Island’s Native American past, they should talk to the Indigenous people who remain on Long Island. Our regulations, in fact, specifically permit the continued use of Native American names and mascots if approved by local tribal leaders. As Germain Smith, General Council Secretary of the Shinnecock Indian Nation eloquently stated in support of the Department’s position, “Speaking for myself as a tribal leader and as an Indigenous person, the message that is being sent by [the state regulations] is that we're not a symbol, we're not a mascot, we're not history. We’re real people that are still here and still exist.”
The Massapequa Board of Education thanked President Trump for bringing attention to their fight in a statement of its own.
"The Massapequa community has been working hard to preserve our identity and protect local decision-making. We are honored that President Trump has recognized our efforts and brought national attention to our cause. His support is a powerful affirmation of what we’re fighting for. We’re deeply grateful for the incredible support from our community, and the continued backing of local leaders and NAGA (Native American Guardians Association), who have stood with us throughout this fight to preserve our community’s identity, traditions, First Amendment rights, and value in honoring Native Americans."
Trump said he is directing U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "fight for the people of Massapequa" but offered no further clarity on if or how the federal government would intervene.
"I think they should keep it," Massapequa resident Brian Cummings said. "I don't think it's disrespectful."
News 12 reached out early this morning to a spokesperson for the Shinnecock Indian Nation, one of the longest-standing indigenous tribes on Long Island, for comment, but haven't heard back at this time.
