Overview

• The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into whether Connetquot actively erased its Thunderbirds mascot and imagery to comply with the Regents’ 2023 prohibition.
• The Office for Civil Rights determined in May that the Regents’ prohibition breaches Title VI and referred its findings to the Justice Department in June.
• Connetquot and state education officials have negotiated a shift to “T-Birds” as an alternative mascot while phasing out former Thunderbirds logos.
• The Native American Guardians Association filed a Title VI complaint and a preliminary injunction, contending that the ban unlawfully erases Indigenous heritage.
• Officials warn that districts defying the policy risk state funding cuts and additional federal enforcement actions under Title VI.