ACLU files racial discrimination complaint against school district
BILLINGS – The ACLU of Montana has filed a discrimination complaint on behalf of four Native Americans who said they were denied early entry to a high school basketball game in Reed Point while others were allowed to go into the school.
Brandy and Elsworth GoesAhead, Emerine Whiteplume and Whitney Holds said other community members were allowed to enter while they waited outside before the Jan. 21 game between Plenty Coups and Reed Point-Rapelje.
They said they were told by an employee that only white people were being let in because there were no other workers inside.
“Being denied entrance to a high school sporting event because we are Native American is outrageous and humiliating,” Elsworth GoesAhead said in a statement. “Our children, our families and our communities need to understand that this type of racism must not be allowed to persist.”
The ACLU filed the complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau.
Reed Point Superintendent Mike Ehinger offered an apology if the Plenty Coups fans felt mistreated but said he believes they misheard what was said.
He said that type of statement would be out of character for the employee, and that only players, coaches and staff were allowed in before the doors were unlocked about an hour before game time.
Ehinger said he watched surveillance video and saw the bus driver for the Rapelje players – a Native American – being allowed in the building shortly after Rapelje players entered.
The bus driver was dressed like a fan and carried a stadium chair, which would make it easy for those who do not know him to think he’s a fan, Ehinger said in a statement.
“The conclusion drawn of racial discrimination from that standpoint is easy to see, unless you know the person was actually a staff member, not a fan,” Ehinger said.
He said he hopes everyone involved can work together to recognize the misunderstanding.
The Human Rights Bureau has 180 days to investigate the complaint that the ACLU announced Monday.