American Indian Religious Freedom Act
Public Law 95-341 - August 11, 1978 -- 92 Stat. 469
95th Congress * Joint Resolution

Title 42
On and after August 11, 1978, it shall be the policy of the United States to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditional religions of the American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiians, including but not limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites.

American Indian Religious Freedom
Aug. 11, 1978 [S.J. Res. 102]

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That henceforth it shall be the policy of the United States to protect and preserve for American Indians their inherent right of freedom to believe, express and exercise the traditional religions of the American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiians, including but not limited to access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites.

Native people were not allowed to participate in their ceremonies, dances or wear their feathers which were (and are) considered sacred until 1978, when the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed by Congress. Mascots, and the use of feathers, war paint, and symbols came into popularity in the 1930s. This was almost 50 years before Indians were entitled to use the same objects that were being used by non-native people who were pretending to be them.