Little Moreau Conference considers zero tolerance policy on racism in schools

LAPLANT – The Little Moreau Conference received a proposed zero tolerance policy on racism in schools for a first reading at its April 9, 2023, meeting. Brent Mareske, principal and athletic director at Tiospaye Topa High School (TTHS) in La Plant, SD, brought the proposed policy to the conference to address racism at school athletic events.

According to Mareske, the proposal will receive a second reading at the August meeting of the Conference where representatives of all schools in the conference will have an opportunity to make comments. The Conference will then consider further action.

The consideration of the new proposed policy was prompted in part when Shawn Traversie, the father of a Native student athlete at Tiospaye Topa High School (TTHS), called for corrective action after an alleged racist incident at a February high school basketball game involving spectators shouting racist insults at TTHS players.

Traversie wrote a letter to the Tiospaye Topa School Board dated February 11, 2023, challenging the Board to adopt a zero tolerance policy on racism and implement additional preventive and deterrent measures.

Traversie said, “We (Natives and non-natives alike) are all working toward the common good. We all live here together and there needs to be unity. We are cultivating young people who must live together. …Teaching young people accountability is a big thing. We (adults) must encourage awareness and mutual respect…. As a society we must continue to do our part as good human beings and teach our children at home right from wrong.

In his letter to the School Board, Traversie recommended not only a Zero Tolerance Policy on Racism but also recommended penalties for violating the policy. He also called on SD Governor Noem to “sanction the (offending school) from all athletic activities until they take appropriate actions that is satisfactory to our students and require all public schools to adopt Zero Tolerance Policies on Racism.” Traversie ended his letter with the statement, “Racism in sports against our children has been happening for far too long, enough is enough.”

As of press time, Governor Noem’s office has not responded to requests for comment.

Traversie and other parents of student athletes attended the April 8, 2023, meeting of the Tiospaye Topa School Board to advocate for appropriate action. The proposed new policy went to the Little Moreau Conference the following day.

Mareska said, “Our goal is to continue to play high school sports and provide a healthy playing field for all athletes.” He also said that the Tiospaye Topa School Board is taking a “pro-active approach” and is addressing the issue appropriately. He expressed agreement with policies being implemented state-wide in North Dakota in response to similar incidents at school athletic events in January, 2023.

Since then, the North Dakota High School Athletic Association (NDHSAA) has updated its code of conduct. The new rules prohibit the use of profane language, including racist remarks, during games with the penalty of immediate removal from the activity if violated. Spirit Lake Tribal Chairman Douglas Yankton Sr. says the new North Dakota rules don’t go far enough.

On February 4, 2023, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau issued a statement saying the targeted Native players in ND are of Lakota heritage and demanded that “all involved Public School students and administrators, including referees, be held accountable for their lack of action and failure to uphold policy that resulted in these children continuing to be harassed and taunted throughout the entirety of a NDHSAA sanctioned event.”

At press time, Chairman LeBeau had not responded to contacts from the press asking for his comments on the situation in his home state of South Dakota.

(Contact Grace Terry at grace@angelsabide.com)

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