A North Dakota high school issued a humiliating apology after white students were filmed mocking a traditional Native American prom dance.
The racist display at Flasher High School prompted nearly a dozen Indigenous students to walk out, including the teen who captured the incident on video.
Video recorded by Ronnie Carry Moccasin’s son on April 20 shows students imitating dances and songs typically seen at powwows, ceremonies that honor Native American culture.
Ronnie, whose family is part of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said his 16-year-old son was unable to enjoy his own prom after he became upset and stormed out.
“All the teachers and parents who were there, the chaperones, should never have allowed that to happen,” he told Bismarck Tribune. ‘It should never happen. It should never have gone on like this.
Video captured by 16-year-old Lucas shows students at Flasher Public School imitating dances and songs typically seen at gatherings. Almost a dozen indigenous students ended up leaving the prom
Ronnie Carry Moccasin (left) and his wife Mary (right) spoke after their teenage son left his own prom, where white students were mocking a traditional Native American dance.
Sixteen-year-old Lucas and his three sisters dance competitively at powwows.
‘The way my son reacted when he came home, and my daughters, it’s like, is that going to happen again, are they going to be made fun of again?’ Ronnie said.
As the controversy escalated, Superintendent Jerry Erdahl issued a statement insisting there was never an “intentional intent to disrespect Native American culture.”
“We sincerely apologize to the Native American people,” the statement said.
‘Now, for us here at Flasher Public School it is time to educate both students and staff on cultural sensitivity issues that may affect the values, morals and beliefs of others. “Once again, we regret having offended those who were insulted by these actions.”
According to Erdahl, among the 265 students enrolled in the district there are a “significant” number of Native Americans.
Flasher Public School quickly removed all mentions of the prom from its Facebook page and parents received an email notifying them that there would be “support in place with two dedicated crisis counselors” for students in grades six through 12.
Ronnie said the superintendent apologized to him during a call on April 22, but he believes more needs to be done.
Flasher Public School quickly removed all mentions of the prom from its Facebook page after the videos began circulating online.
School Superintendent Jerry Erdahl (R) issued a statement insisting there was never an “intentional intent to disrespect Native American culture.” However, the incident is just the latest in a series of alleged racism against Indigenous students.
Ronnie expressed concern that the offensive display would deter Lucas and his sisters from participating in dance competitions.
“It’s going to take more than an apology for many more people to understand how serious this is for us as Native people,” Ronnie said.
His wife, Mary, first uploaded videos of the incident to Facebook. These circulated rapidly, and a The re-uploaded clip racked up more than 168,000 views.
“Despite what anyone thinks, whether appreciation or imitation, my son who attends FPS is discouraged,” Mary wrote.
‘I will not ignore your feelings which are valid and deserve attention. What am I showing you if I didn’t address the problem?
He called his son “an amazing grass dancer who dances his heart out and takes pride in what he does.”
“No one should ever make them feel like they are being mocked and demeaned, especially in a place that is so close to them,” he continued.
Mary, who works for United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, promised to continue talking about the incident “for as long as necessary.”
Flasher’s prom was not the first time white students were accused of discriminating against their Indigenous classmates.
In January 2023, two Native American players on the Bismarck High boys’ basketball team were subjected to racist taunts, including monkey noises and battle cries, during a game in Jamestown.
His parents filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, starting an ongoing case.
After the prom video went viral, Mary shared two other clips depicting allegedly racist behavior.
This included a Snapchat story from a girl on the Eureka track team. “The natives will not leave,” the teenager wrote as she filmed other students who had their backs turned.
In another video, three high school boys are seen making fun of a traditional dance in the basement of a house.
A clip shared on social media shows a Snapchat of a high school student at a track meet in Eureka, with the caption: “Natives won’t leave.”
In another video, teenagers are seen making fun of a traditional dance in the basement of a house.
Mary has vowed to continue talking about the incident “for as long as necessary” and praised her children for choosing to dance.
“No one should make them feel like they are being mocked and demeaned, especially in a place that is so close to them,” Mary wrote on Facebook.
Mary continues to advocate for her children in the face of increasing hardship.
She praised her ‘babies’ in a July 2023 Facebook post that showed a photo of the siblings dressed in traditional attire at a dance competition.
“One by one, my babies made the decision on their own to want to dance,” she wrote. ‘I’m very proud of them. “You have all my encouragement, support and admiration.”
Ronnie intends to speak with an attorney about the possibility of filing a civil rights lawsuit against the district. “It’s going to take me a long time to get over this,” he said.
‘I hope it doesn’t take away from what my children like to do. He’ll stay with me for a while until he figures it out, until he thinks it’s over.’
Efforts to educate students have been made across the state, apparently without success. With the passage of Senate Bill 2304 in 2021, North Dakota schools were required to include Native American history curriculum.
The Department of Public Instruction has been holding an Indigenous Education Summit for the past 10 years. This summer’s conference will offer instructional sessions for educators on how to blend Indigenous history and culture into their teaching.
The pattern of widespread racism has caught the attention of local leaders, who say more needs to be done.
State Rep. Jayme Davis, Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille and Nicole Donaghy, executive director of North Dakota Native Vote, have expressed concerns about discriminatory behavior toward Native American students.
Davis and Finley-DeVille, both Democrats, called on the North Dakota High School Activities Association to better enforce its “zero tolerance policy.”