The United States Department of Education launched a probe Friday into New York’s regulation for all schools that use Native American mascots to change their name and logo or risk losing state funding.

The investigation is looking into the New York Department of Education and the Board of Regents for a reported violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

The statement from the federal DOE says that the Native American Guardians Association claimed that the New York DOE and the Board of Regents violates federal civil rights law by forcing the Massapequa Central School District to eliminate its “Chiefs” mascot based on its association with Native American culture.

“The U.S. Department of Education will not stand by as the state of New York attempts to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa the right to celebrate its heritage in its schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “While New York chooses to prioritize erasing Native Americans, their rich history, and their deep connection the state, it is requiring schools to divert time and resources away from what really matters: educating our students. It is not lost on the Department that there are several mascots that refer to indigenous or ethnic groups – the Vikings, Fighting Irish, the Cowboys – and yet New York has specifically singled out Native American heritage. We will investigate this matter fully.”

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump expressed his support for Massapequa Schools to keep its Chiefs moniker.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) tells News 12 it has not received any communication from the federal government on this issue.

NYSED said in a statement, “However, the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to interfere with a state law concerning school district mascots is inconsistent with Secretary McMahon’s March 20, 2025 statement that she is ‘sending education back to the states where it so rightly belongs.’ Massapequa has already filed, and lost, a lawsuit regarding this issue. We have encouraged the Massapequa school community to consult with local Indigenous representatives.”

Former Shinnecock Tribal Councilman Germain Smith said in a statement, “We are not a symbol, we are not history, we exist today. To some Native children, it is hurtful to see those mascots, and you would not understand that necessarily unless you grew up in a Native community.”