"On September 15, 2012, at a middle school volleyball tournament at Minot Central High School, young Native girls, who were part of the Belcourt volleyball team, were accused of stealing an Ipod that was allegedly missing. As a result, witnesses say, the girls on the Belcourt team, who are minors, were singled out, verbally assaulted, subjected to racial epithets, and searched by police without a warrant or parental consent. The alleged missing Ipod was never found.
Belcourt, ND lies on the Turtle Mountain reservation, and is home to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. It is one of five Tribal Nations located in North Dakota.
Farrah Reopelle is the mother of Rylan Reopelle, a 13 year old girl who is part of the Turtle Mountain Community Middle School volleyball team. She spoke with Lastrealindians about the events in question. The Reopelles are Native American and live on the reservation in Belcourt, ND. "
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Ruth Hopkins: Racially-Charged Incident at Middle School Volleyball Tournament in Minot, ND: Turtle Mountain Chippewa Parents and Community Want Answers
(Last Real Indians 9/21)
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