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HELENA – Aspen Many Hides recalled being in tears as she stood in line five years ago waiting to receive her high school diploma in Polson. Her mother was frantically trying to remove the beads she had sewn into her cap as a sign of accomplishment and to show her pride in her Native American heritage.

Just minutes before the procession was to begin marching, Many Hides was told the beads, particularly those spelling out her family name, violated school policy and had to be removed if she wanted to march.

"I'm very proud of where I came from and my name," she said. "As Native people, it's important we have an opportunity to represent ourselves with regalia. For many Native Americans, graduation from high school is huge because of so many challenges in life."

A legislative committee earlier this week tabled a proposal that would allow Native American students to wear regalia, such as embroidered beads and eagle feathers, along with their caps and gowns. But supporters are using a special rule to force the bill out of committee and onto the Senate floor.

Over the years, controversies have erupted not only across Montana, but in other parts of the country as students of color seek to blend the regalia of their cultural heritage with the pomp of high school graduation.