NYS Native American mascot ban: Federal investigation into Connetquot district referred to DOJ

The federal Education Department's investigation into the Connetquot school district has been referred to the Department of Justice, after the agency determined that the district violated civil rights law by complying with the state's Native American mascot ban.

In a letter dated May 29, the Education Department's assistant secretary for civil rights, Kimberly Richey, asked the Justice Department to "commence judicial proceedings" against the district.

"After the District changed its Native American mascot in response to a state regulation that [Office of Civil Rights] has determined to be discriminatory, Connetquot has not yet taken the steps necessary to come into compliance with federal civil rights law," Richey said in a statement. "It is neither fair nor lawful to permit certain national‑origin‑based names and mascots while erasing others, and we are now referring the matter to the Department of Justice for further enforcement."

Connetquot school officials did not respond to a request for comment Monday. Representatives for the Justice Department also did not return a request for comment.

Mascot debate

Public school districts in New York State were given until June 30, 2025, to comply with a state regulation banning the use of Native American mascots, team names and logos in public schools.

Some Native American leaders have said that the mascots promote hurtful stereotypes and can have a negative impact on the mental health and self-esteem of Native youth.

But the federal Education Department has said the ban violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded education programs on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The agency's argument is that the ban does not allow the use of Native American mascots while permitting those "derived from other racial or ethnic groups, such as the 'Dutchmen' and the 'Huguenots.' "

The ban affected 13 districts on Long Island. Connetquot, which used the nickname the Thunderbirds, was among them.

The federal Education Department opened an investigation into the Connetquot district in July. after officials announced they were "exploring options for an alternative mascot name that remains relatable to our community," 

The school board in September voted 3-2 to accept a proposed settlement with the state that would allow it to rebrand to the T-Birds.

Then in January of this year, the Education Department announced that it found the district had violated Title VI and called on it to revert to its Thunderbirds nickname for its sports teams and "all associated logos and mascots."

The May 29 letter from Richey noted the district made multiple attempts to delay enforcement until after a "judicial determination regarding the legality of the state regulation" was made.

On May 18, Richey wrote, federal education officials warned the district that if it failed to enter into a resolution agreement with the Office of Civil Rights within 10 calendar days, they faced possible "administrative proceedings to suspend, terminate, or refuse to grant or continue and defer financial assistance" to the district or for the matter to be referred to the Justice Department.

Experts have told Newsday that the federal determination puts the Connetquot district in an "impossible" position of having to choose between complying with either state or federal officials.

JP O'Hare, a spokesman for the state Education Department, said in a statement Monday that the department was "not concerned" by the referral of the Connetquot case to the Justice Department because "it does not impact" the settlement agreement between the state and the district.

He added that the federal Education Department "has made a similar referral in the past without effect."

The federal agency, after determining the state ban violated civil rights law, had also referred that case to the Justice Department. The status of that referral was not known Monday.