Native America Calling: Is it the end of civil rights complaints in schools?

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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

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Is it the end of civil rights complaints in schools?

The Trump administration just scrapped a civil rights agreement with the public school system in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The agreement — 14 years in the making — was aimed at correcting inequities for Native American students. Data show Native students in the district are given harsher punishments than their white counterparts.

The students also are less likely to be in higher level classes. The decision comes as President Donald Trump has terminated nearly half of the staff at the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Also, tune in to look at a Virginia tribe’s suit against the commonwealth for what the tribe says is withholding Medicaid reimbursements for tribal citizens’ health care.

Rapid City in South Dakota takes its name from Mni Lúzahaŋ, the Lakota name for Rapid Creek, or Swift Water. Photo: Ken Lane (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Guests on Native America Calling

Walt Swan Jr. (Miniconjou Lakota), Rapid City Area Schools board member and executive director of Friends of the Children – He Sapa, a non-profit based in Rapid City, South Dakota

Tyresha Grey Horse (Oglala Lakota), chair of Title VI Parent Advisory Committee for Rapid City Area Schools and program director of Friends of the Children – He Sapa, a non-profit based in Rapid City, South Dakota

Sarah White (Oglala Lakota), executive director of the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition

Thomas Badamo (Nansemond), tribal council treasurer for the Nansemond Indian Nation, a federally-recognized tribe in Virginia

 Jesse Barrington (Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians), attorney with Cultural Heritage Partners, a law, policy and strategy firm with offices in Virginia

Native America Calling

Listen to Native America Calling every weekday at 1pm Eastern.

Alternate Links: Native Voice One | NAC

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