Director of urban Indian center in Minnesota a target of protest

Wednesday, May 30, 2012  

The executive director of the American Indian Family Center is facing calls to resign over his management style.

Kevin Martineau is a member of the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Community, a non-recognized tribe. Critics say he is abrasive in front of women and children and has expressed biased views against gay and lesbian people.

"When you have a guy who is 6-3, 6-4, screaming his head off, a lot of women are very intimidated," Barry Frantum, the center's youth director, told The St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Lisa DeCory, 29, said she was compelled to resign due to Martineau's behaviors. She claims he criticized two former male employees for their sexual orientation.

"There were two former employees that he felt were too flamboyant. He told me that it was OK that I worked here because I'm not 'flamboyantly' gay," DeCory told the paper. "I'm openly gay but not 'flamboyant.' "

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American Indian Family Center's manager target of protests (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 5/30)