Red Rock community rallies after Native American boy's hair cut at school

The American Indian Movement gathered Friday with members of the Red Rock community in support of a young Native American boy whose hair was cut in school three weeks ago; an act that the community is not happy about.

"They're in the caretaking of these people, who are continuing the colonization and devaluing our culture today," said Casey Camp-Horinek, one of the protestors.

That's how many indigenous members of the Red Rock community feel regarding an incident that happened a few weeks ago, where Rachelle Plumley's son, Asiah, who is autistic, came home with his hair cut. Plumley said the school told her Asiah went behind the teacher's desk, picked up scissors and cut some of his hair off.

But she said she doesn't believe that.

"The morning we dropped off the kids, the teacher did state to us that the kids would be working with scissors, and he made the comment 'I hope no one cuts their hair today.' And then his hair gets cut. Like, why weren't you being extra cautious if that was your main concern?" she asked.

The protest Friday was titled "Don't touch our hair rally," as Plumley told FOX 25 the hair on their heads holds great significance in their culture, making the incident that happened a very big deal.

"When we cut our hair or someone cuts our hair, a piece of our spirit goes as well. We burn our hair if we're gonna even trim it. We don't just throw it on the ground or in the trash. It's a precious quantity to us that has to do with strength. That has to do with representation of our culture," said Camp-Horinek.

Plumley said when they asked for the hair back, she said it took the school several days, and that the school only returned a little strand...Much less than what they expected. Plumley wants the school to take action to make sure this doesn't happen again to children like her son.

"At this time, we're hoping to get cameras enforced in the classroom, especially the special education room, because most of the children can't speak up for themselves, and they deserve that opportunity. They let daycares around here and other places get that, so I feel like we should be able to," Plumley said.

Plumley said although she doesn't want to take this issue to court, she said she will if she has to. She said no other protests are planned for now.