For the first time, Native American high school seniors in Grand Forks will be able to wear an eagle feather during their graduation ceremony, according to Superintendent Larry Nybladh.
He and other district administrators "are in unanimous consensus" that Native students who earned the eagle feather can wear it attached to their cap's tassel, he said in a statement on Friday.
Past policy didn't allow "personal additions" beyond the cap, gown, tassel and honor stole, a common practice in other state schools, administrators said. The intention was to maintain a uniform standard for all students, Assistant Superintendent Jody Thompson has said.
This decision ends a year of discussion between students and administrators on whether it's a right. Administrators met earlier this month with students and parents and had a "constructive and meaningful" dialogue, Nybladh said.
