Wisconsin Act 222 Ensures Native American Students Can Wear Traditional Tribal Regalia at School Events

2025 Wisconsin Act 222, which ensures that Native American students can wear traditional tribal regalia at school events, was signed into law by Governor Evers on April 8, 2026. The Act provides that school boards and charter schools may not prohibit a pupil who is a) a member of, b) a descendant of a member of, or c) eligible to be enrolled in, a federally recognized, whether currently or in the past, American Indian tribe or band from wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event. The Act defines “traditional tribal regalia” as a tribe’s traditional dress or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance, including tribal symbols, beads, and feathers.

While Wisconsin law contains some general protections for a pupil’s religious beliefs, ancestry, creed, race, and national origin, and requires schools to provide for the reasonable accommodation of a pupil’s sincerely held religious beliefs, it did not explicitly address a Native American student’s right to wear traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or other school-sponsored event. Now, 2025 Wisconsin Act 222 ensures that Native American students can fully celebrate their heritage and express their cultural identity during significant academic milestones such as graduation, and other school-related activities. The Act took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature, meaning it applies to graduation ceremonies this Spring.

This article was prepared by Attorney Malina Piontek, AWSA’s Level I Legal Services Provider. You may direct your Level I call-in questions to Malina at 608-497-3037 or email her at [email protected]. This article was designed to provide you with general authoritative information and with commentary as a service to AWSA members. It should not be relied upon as legal advice.