NAGA Sues Colorado Over the Constitutionality of SB 21-116
Description: NAGA Sues Colorado Over the Constitutionality of SB 21-116 Press Release November 3, 2021.
NAGA Sues Colorado Over the Constitutionality of SB 21-116
[11.03.21]
Devils Lake, North Dakota (November 3, 2021) — The Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA) announced that it and five other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Colorado’s SB 21-116 on November 2, 2021. SB 21-116, which is titled
“Prohibit American Indian Mascots,” bans American Indian Tribe names, symbols, and images in Colorado’s public schools, but does not prohibit non-American Indian Tribe names, symbols, or images. For example, the law would ban the name, symbol and imagery of the Yuma High School “Indians,” while leaving non-Native American names, symbols, and imagery in other public schools unchanged.
According to NAGA Board Member Eunice Davidson Wicanhpiwastewin (Good Star Woman), “NAGA believes that SB 21-116 unlawfully discriminates against Plaintiffs by conferring benefits non non-Native American bystanders who are not the targets of racism and discrimination with regard to Native American names, logos, and imagery.” “One of NAGA’s primary goals,” she added, “is to partner with school districts to reappropriate Native American names as honorifics in order to reclaim their meaning and to teach non-Native American students about Native American history.”
The Plaintiffs are represented by William E. Trachman of Mountain States Legal Foundation in Lakewood, Colorado and Scott D. Cousins of Cousins Law LLC in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Trachman can be reached (303) 292-2021. The case is John Doe v. Jared Polis, No. 1:21-cv-2941, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
About Native American Guardian’s Association Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA) is a section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to advocating for increased education about Native Americans, especially in public educational institutions. NAGA seeks greater recognition of Native American heritage through sports and other high-profile public venues. NAGA has been partnering with public schools across the country to help those schools eliminate stereotypical “mascot” caricatures and iconography, chants and cheers, and develop respectful and culturally appropriate Native American names, logos, iconography and imagery. Its motto is “Educate Not Eradicate.” For additional information, please visit https://www.nagaeducation.org/
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