MDHR Finds Credit Union and Bar Discriminated Against Native Americans Over Tribal IDs

Key points

• MDHR found probable cause of discrimination in two separate cases involving the refusal of Tribal identification cards.
• Wings Financial Credit Union in Coon Rapids repeatedly denied a customer access to her bank account when she showed a Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe ID.
• The credit union forced the customer to provide additional documentation that other customers were not required to provide.
• The Office Pub and Grill in Minneapolis refused to serve a customer three times when he used a Red Lake Nation ID to prove his age.
• Minnesota law explicitly states that Tribal IDs are acceptable credentials in instances where a Minnesota ID is used.
• MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero stated that refusing Tribal IDs violates the sovereignty and self-determination of Tribal Nations.

Background

This case highlights ongoing tensions regarding the recognition of Tribal sovereignty and identification in Minnesota, a state that shares geography with 11 sovereign Tribal Nations. Recent national developments, such as New Mexico’s move to an early primary slot for 2028, have elevated the political influence of Native American voters, making issues of sovereignty and civil rights more prominent in public discourse. The MDHR’s enforcement of state civil rights laws on non-Tribal lands underscores the legal obligation for businesses to respect Tribal identification as a valid form of ID.

How outlets are covering it

Both CBS News and FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul report on the MDHR’s findings, but they emphasize different aspects. CBS News focuses on the specific actions of the businesses, such as the credit union forcing additional documentation and the bar refusing service three times. FOX 9 provides broader context, noting that Minnesota shares geography with 11 sovereign Tribal Nations and that MDHR enforces state civil rights laws on non-Tribal lands. Both outlets quote MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero, but FOX 9 includes additional details about the agency’s efforts to seek structural change and the legal framework for accepting Tribal IDs.

Why it matters

This case underscores the importance of respecting Tribal sovereignty and the legal recognition of Tribal identification cards in Minnesota. It highlights the need for businesses to comply with state laws and avoid discriminatory practices that burden Native American customers. The MDHR’s involvement in seeking structural changes could set a precedent for other businesses and institutions to adopt more inclusive policies regarding Tribal IDs.

What to watch

MDHR will continue to work with the affected businesses and customers to implement structural changes that prevent future discrimination. The agency may also issue further guidance to businesses on the proper handling of Tribal identification cards. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against can contact MDHR through its online form to report incidents.