FSU student government discourages wearing of Native American headdresses

Florida State's student government voted recently to discourage the wearing of Native American headdresses at sporting events, according to Perry Kostidakis of FSUNews.com.

Headdresses are popular among both fans and FSU entertainers who wish to represent the spirit of the Seminoles. However, the long, feathered style usually worn by spectators resembles those worn by Plains region tribes rather than the Seminole Tribe.

The Seminole Tribe gave Florida State its support to continue using its name and logos in 2005, but finds the headdresses distasteful, according to the resolution.

As a result, the university's student government passed a resolution to ban the costume piece by a vote of 27-4 on April 20. Five voters abstained. The resolution, however, is considered an expression of opinion by the student government, and not a binding change to school policy.