Request for help from Governor Bill Graves from Native American parents
May 5, 1997
Governor Bill Graves
State Capital Building
Topeka, KS 67460-6014Mr. Graves,
I doubt you will remember me from this letter but perhaps face to face you would recognize me. We met when you were Secretary of State and spoke to the Leadership McPherson class in 1987 or so. I was impressed with your directness and the way you expressed your feeling about politicians who skirt issues and hold self interest above the public good. It was because of your comments that I voted for you last election.
I am addressing you today because you are an intelligent man who can see a problem that hurts people especially children, and as governor have the ability to put into action a plan that will educate and sensitize people.
The abuse of Native American religious symbols in public schools is a serious and far reaching issue. I refer to images of eagle feathers and other religious symbols that are permanently used in 32 high schools and more than 33 middle schools in the state of Kansas. Religious symbols of any other religion are not permanently used by public schools. This is because it is against federal law, the guidelines established by the Kansas Association of School Boards and the policies on the use of religious symbols in local school districts to do so.
Native American religious symbols have yet to receive this recognition. This is why I write. The laws are clear but the schools do not change. I have been working on this issue for the past 14 months and written over 600 letters to local and federal officials asking for help and asking that they do their jobs. I have been receiving no responses and evasive responses to my well stated and intelligent requests for assistance. I hope that you may be able to provide some help to encourage education and sensitizing to these issues. It is my belief that the core of the problems that exist come from ignorance of Native American religion and culture and from the conditioning of children to treat Native Americans (unlike any other living race) as mascots.
I have enclosed some information that will explain this a little more. Mr. Graves, if you can imagine the devastating effects on Native American children from the absolute disregard for religious images of eagle feathers and other religious symbols you will understand that this is an issue of survival for Native Americans. We want our children to be able to be learn with dignity not as mascots and we want to be treated as a people, culture and as human beings with religious beliefs and aspirations that are equal to any other. When any people's spiritual beliefs are mocked, stereotyped and not even given the dignity of recognition, that people is doomed for extinction.
I am asking that you:
- establish a liaison with myself and our group of people that are concerned with this issue so that we may explore alternative ways to solve these equity issues. This group is a multi cultural group of Kansans that include members of the NAACP and Christians as well.
- We would like to ask you to take some initiative to set up meetings with our group and local school officials as well as officials in the Kansas State Board of Education to provide education and sensitizing.
I have been encountering difficulties with arraigning meetings as school officials prefer a method of operating that refers their responses toward their attorneys and encourages actions in the court system. If I was a school attorney and charged $150 per hour I might encourage my client to go to court too. While the American Civil Liberties Union and private federal attorneys are willing to provide services for our concerns I do not think this is a reasonable way to solve problems. It is expensive for schools and as a parent of three children I don't want to use school money that should be going to educate children instead of paying legal fees.
Sir, would you please provide some help in this difficult and complex problem that is edging toward a series of very unpleasant public confrontations?
Sincerely,
Matthew Richter
