Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit
From the Office of Indian Education
Tribal Regalia is Legally Protected at Graduation
As graduation season begins across Arizona, the Office of Indian Education is excited to celebrate the achievements of our Native American students. We are honored to support schools and families in upholding A.R.S. § 15-348, ensuring that students may proudly wear their tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance during graduation ceremonies. OIE is pleased to share the following resources to support schools, families, and students during this important season.
đź’»TRGT 101: What You Neet to Know About A.R.S. 15-348 & Arizona's Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkits
Need a quick overview of the Toolkits and best practice recommendations? Training a large group of staff or volunteers on A.R.S. §15-348 before graduation? OIE offers a brief, easy-to-follow webinar—free to enroll, with 1 CEU earned upon completion. Register for TRGT 101: What You Need to Know About A.R.S. 15-348 & Arizona’s Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkits in the AZ Professional Learning & Development (APLD) platform.
New to APLD? You'll need an ADEConnect Account. Click👉 HERE for instructions!
Honoring Sovereignty, Education, and Conservation: The Inspiring Partnership Behind Tribal Regalia at Graduation
Each Spring, as Native American students across Arizona don their caps and gowns, a quiet tradition takes shape—one that blends Native American sovereignty, academic achievement, and environmental stewardship. At the heart of this tradition is a remarkable partnership among Liberty Wildlife, Tribal communities, dedicated educators, and a school district committed to elevating Native American students.
A Vision Rooted in Culture and Conservation
In 2010, Liberty Wildlife, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 2, established the Liberty Wildlife Non-Eagle Feather Repository (LWNEFR). Under a Special Purpose–Miscellaneous Permit (MB14359A-0), LWNEFR is authorized to accept, hold, and distribute non-eagle feathers to members of federally recognized tribes for religious and ceremonial use.
The repository’s mission is centered on two goals:
- Supporting Native American cultural practices by providing legal access to feathers used in regalia, ceremonies, and traditional arts.
- Protecting native bird populations by offering a legal, no-cost alternative to the illegal wildlife trade, which threatens thousands of birds each year.
To date, the program has shipped 7,389 orders to Native American citizens from 255 tribes across 46 states—proof of its far-reaching impact.
A Graduation Tradition Takes Flight
In 2018, a request from Gene Manuel, a Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) citizen and GRIC Tribal Education employee whose worksite has been Casa Grande Union High School for nearly two decades, helped strengthen the connection between LWNEFR and the Native American community. Manuel reached out seeking 100 Redtailed Hawk wing feathers to honor graduating Native American students within Casa Grande Union High School District. These feathers, which are attached to mortarboards or carried during the ceremony, are protected under Arizona Revised Statute A.R.S. § 15-348 Dress Code Policy. Liberty Wildlife embraced the request, and the partnership has continued every year, including preparations for the upcoming 2026 graduation.
Each May, Mare VanDyke of Liberty Wildlife personally visits the district to attend the annual Graduation Powwow, a celebration now entering its 12th year. Graduating students have been presented with a hand-beaded feather and a specially designed school sash at the powwow - a gift that honors each student’s Tribe.
A Community Working Together for Students
The work behind this tradition reflects collaboration across Tribal communities, the school district, and cultural program leaders. Because federal regulations require that feather applications come from tribal citizens, five qualified Tribal members submit the necessary paperwork each year on behalf of the students of CGUHSD. Students who are 18 and over are also recruited to fill out an application. Once approved, the feathers are “gifted” to graduates who are members of federally recognized tribes.
According to Gene Manuel, Casa Grande Union High School currently serves students from more than 20 different federally recognized tribes, both within and outside of Arizona. Although he works for Gila River Indian Community Tribal Education, which provides a specific sash for Gila River Indian Community graduates, he ensures all Native American students receive a sash and beaded feather. Through Title VI funds and district support, every Native American student is recognized. Manuel shared, “So, our school district also gives their valuable support every school year when it comes to recognizing all of our Native graduates”
This collaborative effort shows what is possible when cultural preservation, education, and conservation work hand in hand—lifting students up as they step confidently into their future.
A Simple, Respectful Process for Feather Access
Liberty Wildlife’s feather distribution process is straightforward. To request feathers, an applicant must:
- Be 18 or older and a member of a federally recognized tribe
- Submit a signed, original application by mail
- Include tribal enrollment documentation with their first request
- Request only one species at a time, with a limit of 20 feathers
- Wait three months between orders
Feathers are provided at no cost, making them accessible to all who need them for personal, religious, or ceremonial use.
Because Red-tailed Hawk feathers are the most requested—and often in short supply—LWNEFR encourages applicants to consider culturally appropriate alternatives such as Harris’ Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, or Swainson’s Hawk wing feathers.
