A parental rights group has filed a civil rights complaint against a Minnesota high school over its Indigenous Student Council that is exclusively for Native American students.
The complaint alleged the separate council violates federal civil rights law and the Equal Protection clause by discriminating on the basis of race.
Unlike other affinity groups at the school, only the Indigenous council explicitly states it is not open to all students.
The parental group argued that this constitutes unlawful racial discrimination in programming.
It called for a Department of Education investigation, saying the separate council was “unabashedly unconstitutional.”
“PDE makes this complaint as an interested third-party organization with members who are parents of school children throughout the country. PDE and its members oppose discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, and political indoctrination in America’s schools. Burnsville High School is offering programming to affinity groups that is not open to all students,” the complaint read.
“Unlike the other six affinity groups identified in the exhibits, the Indigenous Student Council (ISC) is the only group that explicitly states it is not open to the entire student body,” the complaint added.
“Accordingly, we ask that the Department promptly investigate the allegations in this complaint, act swiftly to remedy unlawful policies and practices, and order appropriate relief.”
A spokesperson for the group stated that if students cannot coexist in a leadership role, it sets a concerning precedent.
“Burnsville High School has two student councils,” Parents Defending Education vice president Caroline Moore said. “One that everyone can participate in, and another that only allows Native American students. If students cannot coexist in something as simple serving as leaders for their graduation class, where does this madness end?”
“If Minneapolis and its suburbs are any indication of where race relations in this country are going, I want no part of it. This is unabashedly unconstitutional and the DOE should conduct a thorough investigation of racial discrimination in this district immediately,” she added.
Schools nationally have faced pushback from parents wanting academics prioritized over identity focus.
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