Prom in North Dakota Plagued by Racism

By Isaac White.

North Dakota - Flasher Public School (FPS) issued a public apology following a disturbing incident at the school’s prom on April 20th, where a group of white students mocked traditional Native American powwow dances. The event, which was caught on video by Ronnie Carry Moccasin’s 16-year-old son, displayed students singing and dancing in ways commonly seen at powwows—ceremonies that celebrate Native American culture.

Carry Moccasin, whose family is part of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, expressed his dismay over the incident. He told the Bismarck Tribune, “All the faculty and parents that were there, the chaperones, they should never have let that happen. It should never happen. It should never have kept going.” His son, a student at the K-12 Flasher school, was upset by what he considered mocking behavior and left the prom, followed by around ten other Indigenous students.

Flasher Public School promptly removed all mentions of the prom from its Facebook page. The administration sent an email to parents informing them that crisis counseling services would be available for students in grades six through twelve. Superintendent Adam Erdahl acknowledged the need for immediate action, stating in an apology released on April 22nd via the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN):

“At no time was there any intentional intent to disrespect the Native American culture. To the Native American people, we are sincerely apologetic. Now, for us here at Flasher Public School is the time to educate both students and staff on cultural sensitivity issues that can affect values, morals, and beliefs of others. Again, we are sorry for offending those who were insulted by these actions.”

The incident at the Flasher prom wasn’t isolated according to numerous reports at media outlets in the state. After the prom video went viral more videos were shared that highlighted other racist behavior. One Snapchat video captured a member of the Eureka track and field team writing,

“The natives won’t leave,” while filming other students who had their backs turned. Another video showed three high school boys mocking a traditional dance in the basement of a home.

In January 2023, two Native American basketball players from Bismarck High were taunted with racial slurs during a game in Jamestown. Their families filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, leading to an ongoing investigation.

State leaders are increasingly vocal about this pervasive pattern of discrimination against Native American students. State Representatives Jayme Davis and Lisa Finley-DeVille, both Democrats, urged the North Dakota High School Activities Association to enforce its zero-tolerance policy on racism. Nicole Donaghy, executive director of North Dakota Native Vote, emphasized the urgency of systemic change.

North Dakota’s Department of Public Instruction will continue its Indian Education Summit this summer, providing educators with training to incorporate Indigenous history and culture into their curriculums. Despite Senate Bill 2304’s mandate requiring schools to include Native American history, incidents like these demonstrate the work yet to be done.