A headdress worn during athletic events at a Maryland high school that has been part of an ongoing tradition at the academy has been banned as dueling petitions gather signatures.


Nancy Doll, the principal of Linganore High School in Frederick, Md., confirmed Wednesday that the school would not allow the headdress to be worn by students as it had in previous years following complaints about it being offensive to Native Americans.


Petitions for and against the ban have each garnered over 1,500 signatures. As of Thursday, the petition to bring the headdress back has amassed over 2,100 signatures, with most coming from community members and alumni.

Students vote for an incoming senior to become the “chief” of the student section each year, which is called “the tribe.” The leader wears the headdress for football and basketball games.

“I understand that some people find it offensive,” said Jacob Garwood, a senior at the school who was just chosen to be chief. “We never meant to offend anyone, but we take a lot of pride in this tradition and it means a lot to us. I hope there is a way we can work something out so we can keep the tradition but allow everyone to feel welcome.”



Native American headdresses were donned by the tribe’s chief who collected the feathers while in battle. The feathers were deemed sacred.

“We see feathers as gifts from the Creator,” Juan Boston, vice chairman of the board of directors at the Baltimore American Indian Center, told the Frederick News-Post.

“I’m 58, and in my life, I have received one eagle feather,” Boston said. “When you see some people wearing one jumping around like a monkey yelling like an idiot, it is disrespectful to our culture.”

“It’s like if someone were to wear an Army general’s uniform and parade around jumping and yelling making a mockery of it. The outcry would be incredible.”

The school was considering replacing the headdress with a spear for the chosen leader or putting it in a case where people could learn about its heritage.

“I understand that it may be offensive to some people but it has been, in my opinion at least, the biggest tradition Linganore has,” Harry Rasmussen, a former student and last year’s elected chief told the Frederick News-Post.

“It’s been passed down for more years than I know. It’s not meant to be demeaning or have bad intentions. It symbolizes the school as one. We are all one tribe at Linganore, and I think the headdress just sort of completes that."

“We all respect the headdress and who’s wearing it. We understand it means something.”

Film at 11....:-k

When I first read this I was all for the school keeping the tradition... Then I read the part about the kid jumping around acting stupid while wearing it... I understand the outrage now... I'm thinking if they learn to respect da headdress it wouldn't be an issue..... 😟

you are reading it right, brother.
they think they are respecting tradition, but they have never bothered to learn of the real beautiful tradition of the Tribe.

At the same time, they are simply uneducated about the culture they mistakenly believe they are honoring.

Because they mean well, I believe they can be taught the truth.

But what is the correct way to travel in the future?

I like chief wahoo even though he is Jewish. Not that Jewish is bad or anything it's just not Indian and stuff. I've been concentrating really hard on this issue for awhile and decided I still like him.

I dunno... We're talking about high school kids in this case.... You might be able to make them understand but there's always a smart ass... 😟

It would bother me alot if the Washington redskins were forced to lose the name and stuff... 😟

I thought we fixed this when you sent me the yarmulke.

I really was trying to be serious and nice at the same time, but TW ruined the moment...durned cork soaker

I'm sorry

Bassard..!! 😠




Frank was being serious and nice and you ruined his moment... 😠

I'm sorry

I was just kiddin... 😟

Kidding to you can ruin someone else's day.

I'm going back to sleep.

I'm sorry... 😞

I was just kiddin

I'm ok with it as long as the headdress isn't made of actual eagle feathers.

I have a couple eagle feathers that were given to me. They just sit wrapped in a red cloth the vast majority of time.

Anytime there's sporting events, or kids in general, there's going to be a lot of jumping around acting like an idiot... hopefully this encourages more people to research history.

I'm with drafter though on the skins, kinda hard to change the name now, though I'm sure they'll eventually cave.

The cleveland indians one though... cleveland is trash, just strip them of all sports teams, lol.

Out of all the WHINE-ning, bitching and crybaby moaning...

This super silly very minor "gripe" does have
Some merit...unlike 150 yr old inoccuous expensive brass statues that are destroyed or vandalized....

But....

IT IS FUNNY AS H3LL TO WATCH "HALF A
DRUNK AS AS ALL GET OUT" STADIUM
IN HEAD DRESSES WITH TOMAHAWKS SCREAMING YELLING, AND ACTING STUPIDLY...

So they act like fools while wearing injun gear?

Oh.
The horror.

The more I read of these things, the more I realize that America is home to the meek and easily offended.

Some do find it horrific enough to start and sign a petition.. I wouldn't do either but in this case I think a solution could be found. .. 😟

I wish people would use these opportunities to educate and inform others about their cultural traditions rather than try to sue and gain money.