Indianz.Com > News > Native America Calling: Is it the end of civil rights complaints in schools?
native america calling
Native America Calling
Listen to Native America Calling every weekday at 1pm Eastern.
Alternate Links: Native Voice One | NAC
Native America Calling: Is it the end of civil rights complaints in schools?
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
nativeamericacalling.com   nativeamericacalling   nativeamericacalling

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, South Dakota
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

All Episodes on Spotify | More Options
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Native America Calling: A Pueblo answer to the work and renown of artist Georgia O’Keefe
Native America Calling: Educational outcomes are about more than just grades for Native American students
Cronkite News: Rally calls out government mistreatment of veterans
PRESS RELEASE: Ho-Chunk Nation citizen Rodney Rave announces bid for U.S. Congress
PRESS RELEASE: Choctaw Nation welcomes deal to reopen federal government
Native America Calling: The race to protect cultural treasures
Cronkite News: Health care prices set to rise despite deal to reopen government
Native America Calling: Native American veterans create valuable avenues for connections with fellow Native vets
Arizona Mirror: Food benefits on hold again following last-minute action at Supreme Court
Arizona Luminaria: Navajo teen went missing with no statewide alert
Tom Cole: Honoring the heroes who served our country
TEXT: Bill text of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026
Special Diabetes Program for Indians gains temporary extension in deal to end government shutdown
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week (November 10, 2025)
Press Release: Senate Committee on Appropriations announces deal to end U.S. government shutdown
More Headlines