Credit union and sports bar discriminated against Native Americans by using tribal ID cards, MDHR says

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says a credit union in Coon Rapids and a bar in Minneapolis discriminated against two Native Americans when they refused to accept tribal ID cards.

The investigation revealed that Wings Financial Credit Union in Coon Rapids “repeatedly” denied a woman access to her bank account when she showed her tribal identification card, the department said. The card was issued by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe and the credit union forced it to provide additional documentation.

In another case, the Department of Human Rights alleges that the Office Pub and Grill in Minneapolis refused to serve a customer when he used his Red Lake Nation-issued tribal identification card to prove his age. The investigation showed that the customer had been refused three times.

State law states that a tribal ID card is an acceptable credential in cases where a Minnesota card is used for identification.

“Tribal identification is an integral part of a tribe’s sovereignty, right to self-determination and autonomy,” said MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. “Schools, businesses, and law enforcement cannot deny tribal identification or impose additional charges on tribal members who use their tribal identification.”

The human rights department says it is working with businesses to create structural changes to ensure there is no more discrimination.