'The students’ display of blatant hate, disrespect, and intolerance is a signal of how common decency has decayed ...'

Updated as Sharice Davids has also commented publicly on Nathan Phillips

After a viral video of Native American Vietnam-era veteran, Nathan Phillips hit social media and an article was posted to Indian Country Today revealing his identity, Congresswoman Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids have condemned the treatment by the large group of non-Native students from Covington Catholic High School, who taunted, and mocked Phillips on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the end of the day’s Indigenous People’s March.

Congresswoman Deb Haaland made a strong statement on Twitter, writing: “This Veteran put his life on the line for our country. The students’ display of blatant hate, disrespect, and intolerance is a signal of how common decency has decayed under this administration. Heartbreaking.”

In an interview with The Hill, Haaland who is Laguna Pueblo and Catholic said respect, and in this case, regarding Native elder Nathan Phillips, had degraded over the years.

She said to The Hill in part, "I feel like some of that has truly been lost and that's all condoned by our president … You could tell that by the hats they were wearing... Our Catholic values of Pueblo people have been to care about each other and respect cultures … Those are things I learned as I was growing up."

She also said that she was hopeful that the school and parents would "look deep into themselves," and teach “manners and respect.”

Sharice Davids also took to Twitter praising Phillips, stating: "Nathan Phillips' behavior in the face of that crowd demonstrates why we have so much respect for our elders. Our society is failing a portion of our youth, as these young men highlight with their misguided actions. Leadership starts with each of us. Thank you, Nathan Phillips.

See the related coverage regarding Nathan Phillips by Vincent Schilling:

Outrage as non-Native youth wearing #MAGA hats taunt and disrespect Native elder

The Nathan Phillips incident: A long day of worldwide news and a school apology

An interview with Nathan Phillips on the #MAGAYouth incident

Follow Indian Country Today’s associate editor Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter - @VinceSchilling

Email - vschilling@indiancountrytoday.com