KUALA LUMPUR: The gambir and black pepper motif, which is synonymous with Johor, was used for the first time to decorate the King’s headdress, known as “tengkolok” or “destar”.

But as the Chickasaw Nation member grew up and learned about his Indigenous roots, he came to see the school’s mascot — a stereotypical Native American man wearing a headdress — as problematic.

But as the Chickasaw Nation member grew up and learned about his Indigenous roots, he came to see the school’s mascot — a stereotypical Native American man wearing a headdress — as problematic.