Former Broken Arrow High School student sues the district

Broken Arrow, Okla. — Lena Black says two district employees took a sacred eagle feather from her cap right before the graduation ceremony last year.

The United Indian Nations of Oklahoma says Black’s religious and free speech rights were violated.

The group says it happened to Black in front of her peers, leaving her distraught and humiliated.

Black says she collapsed during the struggle from the anxiety and ran off.

A spokesperson for BAPS says the district has not yet been served with a court filing on behalf of Ms. Black, so it wouldn’t be inappropriate to comment publicly.

She did say that students are allowed to represent their tribal, religious or ethnic heritage at graduation ceremonies.

Governor Kevin Stitt recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed Native American students to wear tribal regalia to graduation ceremonies. Gov. Stitt said he preferred to give local school districts the control on the matter.