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A law student and former Miss North Dakota USA has taken to TikTok to describe what she calls years of racism in her home state and a recent incident that pushed her “to a breaking point.” The woman, who identifies as a Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians tribal member, began her video by saying that racism in North Dakota “isn’t new information” to her. But she explained that after a decade away, including years at Harvard, she returned from law school expecting some progress. Instead, she said, she faces constant hostility, from drivers who cut her off when they see her tribal plates to neighbors who question whether she belongs in her own apartment complex.
The law student shared that, for years, there have been anti-Native actions taking place in Grand Forks. For instance, she said that her own mother was once the victim of a hate crime when someone cut off her hair in class. She also recalled that when she was in high school, a group of students wore Ku Klux Klan–style outfits to a “whiteout” hockey game, an incident that made national news. “Anything you’ve ever heard about North Dakotans and how people are so sweet and kind, maybe if you’re a white person, but not when you’re a Native person,” she remarked.
More on What She Said
Additionally, the lady talked about a particularly troubling visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles. According to her, after presenting her tribal registration card in order to swap her tribal license plates for state-issued plates, the staff doubted its authenticity. They first questioned whether she paid taxes and eventually demanded $1,500 in back taxes to issue state plates. “I know I need to pay taxes. I do pay taxes. That’s not an issue for me,” she said, adding that Native people pay federal and state taxes even if they live on reservations. She stressed that as a student whose permanent residence remains on the reservation, she should not have been asked to pay those fees.
Netizens Share Their Opinion on North Dakota’s Racism
Many people in the woman’s comments section agreed with her and also shared their own frustrations. “Yup, absolutely correct! I hate it here 😭,” one person wrote. A second admitted, “I’m ashamed that I live in ND. I very dislike it here smh pisses me off 😡😡😡😡.” Someone else said, “Facts and it’s so sickening I’m sick of living here and embarrassed to say I’m from here 😞😞😞,” while another observed, “People were literally less racist to me in the south 😭 they get confused on why some people here hate it and continue to be insanely hateful to anyone slightly different.”
Some also offered support, with one commenter writing, “I know how you feel my sister 🙏,” and a different netizen adding, “I’m so sorry you have to deal with this.”
However, not everyone shared the same opinion. “Can’t judge a state. No state is racist,” one user argued. A Black man living in Bismarck shared a different perspective: “Haven’t had one problem.” Another said, “You’re not speaking on behalf of all Native Americans in our community. A lot of us are supportive of the logo, the name, and our experiences within the university system.” Someone else pointed out, “I’m sorry, but North Dakota is more than just the east side of the state.”
