An Oklahoma student and Cherokee citizen winning a hard-fought battle with her school.
The fight? Being able to wear an eagle feather at her graduation.
Kim Christie and her daughter, Natalie Briggs, lobbied the Vian School Board to allow Cherokee students to wear an eagle feather with their cap and gown.
MORE | Cherokee student fights for eagle feather to worn at graduation
The fight went all the way to Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma's capital.
In a letter sent to Vian's school board, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter said the Cherokee student wanting to display her eagle feather was protected under the state's religious freedom act—seen as victory for Cherokee families.
“I'm hoping all schools will follow this example you know because maybe they didn't know what an eagle feather meant and I think other schools will follow our footsteps," said Kimberly Christie.
“This is a great example a situation where we wanted to help our citizens in the community that's within the Cherokee Nation. I don't think we get the help of the state if we don't have a good relationship," said Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation Secretary of State.
Vian Public Schools also weighing in, telling 2 Works For You: they respect the attorney general's opinion and they will follow his recommendation.
By the way, possessing an eagle feather is exclusive to tribal citizens and is a federal crime if not obtained properly.
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