Why Is the Indian Ed director being fired?

I haven't lived in "the falls' for over 10 years. The first chance i had, i moved away. Why? Because i am ojibwe, and did not want my children to be subjected to that school district. Seeing, reading, and talking to people, the majority being native american, reminds me of why i moved myself, and my children away. If Dianne Briggs worked in the school back when i went, and when my children started, perhaps we would have never moved away. I'm disgusted that the ways of 361 still seems to hold a lot of prejudisim, even after all these years. May the 'Creator' bless all our native children, and keep Dianne in their lives.

"Well hun", now there's a new greeting for me!! I'll accept that, unless you are a "son of a nish*t"!! And, no, I'm not blind, only reporting the demographic's of "my time" in Falls High. Trying to be "fair and balanced". But, you still did not let us in on where you relocated to, so that your "nishnabe's" could get an "unracial" education. Did you have to leave the great State of Minnesota, or did you travel to another Reservation?? Don't tell me you enrolled your children in a Catholic school? Heaven forbid, more "racist" classmates and education!! Right, Professor? So, I guess your troubles are all part of that vast "Right Wing" conspiracy, of "no Nishnabe left behind". I didn't even know what racism was when I was in Falls high in the 1960's, but now I guess I am one!! Where does it all end?

I remember in grade school there was an Indain girl that was in our class. She was quiet. polite and unassuming. She was very athletic and always got A's on her reportcards. The girls snubbed her but she kept it all hidden. I have often wondered what happened to her. Anyway, Linda if you do read this I have always wished the best for you and hope the best came your way.

yes, 'we' attended the same classrooms, read the same text, and were graded with the same tests. But, that is where it ended. Unless your a minority, in 361, you can not understand, what it was like to go to school there. I seen it in the early 80's, and i seen it, in the mid 90's, thru the eyes of my daughter. And now, seeing what this district is doing, regarding diane briggs, I see it once again. Open your eyes people! I would still like to know what anyone defines as a 'native american'. As for our culture/heritage, i know mine, and i sure didn't learn any of it from 'school'. i was taught by my parents, by my Elders. Years later, when i left that town, and came to realize that, not all people, are as ignorant as many in that area. I suppose graduates of 361, still think columbus discovered america!~!

In the last three postings on here, "shades of gray" took the words out of my mouth. It is nice that rporter's relatives taught them everything, but it would be wise to let us other "Native" Americans teach you something, besides Teepee building and basic fire starting techniques!! You hit it right on the head, you sat in the same classroom as all other "native Americans" and had the ability to learn just like everyone else. But, then in the 80's and 90's you found out that "Guvment Cheese" was available, and they gave you certain rights, that us common folks don't have, and you "STILL" have trouble assimilating into District 361. Six-shooter gave a great example of how this could be done. I also hope that person was successful!!

nice, teepee building & fire starting!~! ohhh my!~! First of all, i also have the ability to think 'clearly'. I'm thinking the first time i did that was when i moved away from 361. Can we all say 'apple'? :D
Now children, who 'discovered 'America'? And to whomever wrote that 'we' all should be called 'native americans', i don't think that's going to fly, sorry. I see that citizens of 361, still have their 'heads up'. 'guvmnt cheese', I think your referring to another minority. I don't have a 2 year degree, a 4 year degree, what i do have tho, is years of raising my children in an enviroment that has led them on to begin living their dreams, being respected as 'anishnabes', and learning the ojibwe culture, which is something that one can not learn in a textbook, or by 'just anyone else' *cough* *cough*. Diane Briggs rocks!~!

Wow what a loaded topic, but then when some one screams racisim it usually is, in regards to the above named person being fired I will not speculate as I was not there, in respect to those that have come and gone from the Falls, I think for those of you that say you left because of racism and how unfairly you were treated and that the Native Americans were subject to some form of cruelity in Dis 361, Now I am not here to say it isn't so, what I am about to say is while you are sitting there pointing a finger at I Falls, remember how many point back at yourself, this street we call racism is not a one way, it is two way but yet it is the white guy who takes the fall and we are the only racist SOB in this country, well look around we are not, your quite racist yourself, I think you make choices and those choices have consquences and that is for each person to deal with, we live in a multi cultral country, I grew up with the Native Americans in the 80's you speak of, many were my friends, I also remember the ones that weren' t so nice that by the middle of each month there government check was all drank up, and it was our fault they suffered the rest of the month. again that is the consqunces of their actions not mine. rporter you sound like a person that has alot of hate, when I meet a peson, I don't judge them by there color, thats kind of like judging a book by its cover, and I don't like to miss out on the reading of a good book because I jumped to conculisions at sight. I cross my fingers you can let go of some of the negativity that flows thru in your remarks, it has a way of aging a person. The falls has its good points and its bad points just like any other small town America, like I said I don't know what happened to the lady that triggered this blog, but I'm sure she would not like the fact that it has turned into a blog about racism.

oh gee hun, get a grip. now you just have to mention CASINO. i started posting, as a way to support diane. Mind u, this woman is not a full blooded nish. What she is tho, is a woman that has worked hard, to see our native children get an education, and encourage them. I myself, have friends of many colors, i judge people by there actions. Yes, i made the comment, about the 'cheese', but did u see me say, what race i was referring too> no!~!. Another thing, I also remember many 'white people', living the same way, as u so nicely put it up there, ifalls85. There are many words to describe, 'caucasians', but i'm not here to do that. What i am and was trying to say, was that if there was someone in that school district, that cared as much as diane does now, i may have stayed there, and continued to bring my children up there. Judge me all u like, but it no longer bothers me, I learned a long time ago to move on with my life, and move on into a new direction. And that is, ~be native, be proud~. And take care of our nishnabe children, for they are our future. EACH GENERATION, GETS STRONGER~!~. Oh, and please by all means, stop by your closest casino, we're very happy to make your visit enjoyable:D

Can you spell 'treaties', and what they mean?
Also, I am curious, to as how 'people' define a Native American. And what we stand for :D, sorry sweetie, but i dont think im on your level, Can i get a 'lol' please!~! :D

Why does the school district need to have special classes because someone is of a different color, race, heritage or anything else that falls along that category? This makes not any sense. Everyone has fought so hard to be equal over the last 200 years and yet they still want to be different and have all their own crap.

Well LA DEE FRICKEN DA.

If you don't like it, you could always be a writer. I can't see real good, is that Bill Shakespeare over there?

How is Indian Education fair to all involved? Think about it:

1. Why don't other minorities get special education?
2. Doesn't getting this special help make the minority look inferior?
3. Does this encourage unity and comity? How does seperating people do this?
4. Of course "Indians" have been wronged, but the past is the past and this country pays a lot for their mistake.
5. Ok, so it is to teach them about their culture? Why doesn't everyone else get culture education? There is a large number of Germans, Norweigans, Russians...?
6. Since when is it the public school system's job to teach a people their culture? This means everything from history to religion. Religious education has no place in a public school.

Please try not to lynch me.