OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed SB 429 on Monday.
The bill would have protected the rights of public school students, including public university students, to wear tribal regalia to graduation ceremonies, whether held at a public or private location.
Stitt said he vetoed the bill because it should be up to local school districts, not the state government.
- Previous coverage >>> New Okla. bill would help Native American students wear regalia at graduation
"Should this bill become law, the proverbial Pandora's box will be opened for other groups to go over the heads of local superintendents and demand special favor to wear whatever they please at a formal ceremony," Stitt wrote.
The Governor was asked about his decision to veto the bill in a press conference Friday.
"Was someone there somebody upset about it?" Stitt said laughing.
He went on to say that his veto doesn't stop any student from wearing tribal regalia to graduation.
"It just leaves that up to the local district," Stitt said. "That's all it said. We're not going to allow and force districts to not be in control of their own cap and gown or whatever they are going to require their students to wear, but certainly, they can do that. I'm not even sure if they asked. Most superintendents probably allow people to wear tribal regalia. We're just not going to make a one-size-fits-all and we're not going to force every school district to do it."
The Choctaw Nation responded to the governor's decision.
“This bill, which would have allowed all Native American students in Oklahoma to wear tribal regalia at school ceremonies, is not controversial. It allows the students to honor their native culture and traditions. In fact, only one member of the Legislature voted against it,” Chief Gary Batton said. "This is a popular, common-sense measure with no costs for the state or schools. We hope the House and the Senate will quickly override the veto to provide more freedom for Oklahoma students who want to honor their heritage.”
"With this legislation, Governor Stitt had an opportunity to support religious freedom and families honoring their kids' high school accomplishments. Instead, he's chosen more division and insults to his Native American constituents. To be clear, Oklahoma law protects the right of Native American students to wear tribal regalia and other culturally significant items during graduation ceremonies. This bill would have simply made those rights more clear, so public school administrators do not mistakenly violate them. That's why the legislature approved this bill, along with other bills supported by tribes, with nearly unanimous, bipartisan votes. I strongly urge the Legislature to override the Governor's irresponsible vetoes of this and other important legislation," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Muscogee Creek Nation chief also released a statement about the veto:
“It’s unfortunate that once again we are addressing an issue with Indigenous students wearing tribal regalia to honor their academic achievement and accomplishments at graduation. When students choose to express the culture and heritage of their respective Nations to signify this moment in their lives, it is not to ‘demand special favor to wear whatever they please,’ it is to honor their identity. We must continue to communicate the unique aspect of this honor, and that allowing this expression is in no manner a gateway to introduce chaos and irreverence into formal ceremonies. The overwhelming support of this bill among legislators should be a clear message that more and more people are understanding the message. Laws are made to protect these rights. It’s time that once and for all, we do the right thing by these students and respect their family choices. We’re disappointed that the Governor is standing in the way of that with his veto.”
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