As graduation season unfolds across California, a growing number of high school seniors are crossing the stage in caps and gowns paired with traditional tribal regalia, an expression of cultural pride that is now firmly protected under state law. California is among nearly twenty states that guarantee students the right to wear Native regalia during commencement ceremonies, a recognition that has steadily gained ground in recent years.
Among the students embracing that right this year is Alina Sanchez, who is graduating as salutatorian from Crystal Ray High School in Sacramento. For Sanchez, the milestone carries a mix of emotions as her senior year draws to a close. She described the moment as bittersweet, reflecting on how quickly her years of school have passed and how much the day means to her and her family.
On graduation day, Sanchez plans to wear regalia gifted to her by the Wilton Rancheria Miwok people, a gesture she says is meant to honor the ancestors and the heritage that brought her to where she is today. She credited her parents as a constant source of support, saying they have guided her throughout her educational journey and helped her reach this point.
Sanchez took care to inform her school of her decision well in advance. She said having that conversation with school officials ahead of time made the experience smoother and gave her the chance to explain the meaning behind her choice, turning what could have been an awkward moment into an opportunity to educate others about her culture.
Under current California law, students graduating from public and charter schools have the legal right to wear tribal regalia without seeking prior approval. Heather Hosler, executive director at California Indian Legal Services, noted that while schools retain discretion to act if an item would cause a substantial disruption, tribal regalia does not meet that threshold and should not be treated as a barrier.
Hosler said questions about regalia frequently surface during graduation season. In most cases, she explained, her organization simply reaches out to the schools on behalf of students to clarify what the law requires, and the matter is resolved quickly once administrators understand the protections in place for graduating seniors.
Although Crystal Ray is a private school and therefore not bound by the state statute, its officials said they fully embrace cultural traditions, describing representation as something they celebrate rather than question. Father Christopher Calderon said the school aims to create a sense of welcome and belonging, calling regalia one of the ways students can feel seen, while Sanchez said she hopes to advocate for other students and raise awareness so more young people can honor their heritage.