Mohawk causing trouble at Utah grade school

Imagine having to get a note from your tribal council grand chief so your son can wear a simple Mohawk haircut to school. Ridiculous, right?

Well, that’s what one family had to do in Santa Clara, Utah when their seven-year-old son, Jakobe, was pulled from his second-grade classroom when his ‘do’ violated the dress code at the, ironically, named Arrowhead Elementary School. (Gary Sanden, the father of the boy, said he was advised to get “a letter from tribal leaders to explain the Native American tradition of wearing Mohawks” if he wanted his son to be allowed back to class, reported the Washington Post.

“That’s like calling up the governor of our state,” Sanden said. “But I called and got the letter. My wife did too.” (The dress code reads: “Students have the responsibility to avoid grooming that causes a distraction or disruption, interrupting school decorum and adversely affecting the educational process. Extremes in body piercings, hair styles and hair colors may be considered a distraction or disruption.”

And because the boy’s classmates were not used to the hairstyle—cropped short on the sides with a couple of inches left from forehead to nape of neck—a distraction was caused and Jakobe was pulled from class. His parents were told to cut his hair to “reflect the norms of the community.” (But dad said that was just not going to happen.

“I told [the school district’s superintendent] I was in no means going to cut his hair because it’s a symbol of who we are,” Sanden said. The school needed proof, and advised the family to get leadership to pen a letter. (Seneca Nation Tribal Councillor William Canella wrote: “From past centuries to the modern era, Native boys have worn their hair in various lengths and styles to demonstrate their pride in their heritage. It is common for Seneca boys to wear a Mohawk because, after years of discrimination and oppression, they are proud to share who they are. It’s disappointing that your school does not view diversity in a positive manner, and it is our hope that Jakobe does not suffer from any discrimination by the school administration or faculty as a result of his hair cut.” (Arrowhead principal said she was surprised the incident had garnered national attention. “It took about a half hour of my time,” she said. “There’s a protocol that we go through, and I felt like it was handled efficiently and that we respected their culture.” The school is located about 10 miles from a Paiutes reservation.