The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is apologizing to a Shawano Catholic school seventh-grader who was punished after using her native Menominee language in the classroom.
Miranda Washinawatok, a student at Sacred Catholic School, said she was reprimanded by a teacher for exchanging phrases used by the Menominee Tribe of Indians with two other girls and was later suspended from playing in a Jan. 19 basketball game.
"Over the course of time that has followed, we have had the opportunity to discuss and, more importantly, listen to how the incident has brought hard feelings and anger to the Menominee people," said Joseph Bound, director of education for the diocese, in a letter dated Feb. 22.
"The resulting events that transpired were never intentionally grounded in any way that would cause the family and the Menominee Nation to view the Diocese of Green Bay as insensitive to a person of Menominee heritage or any heritage. We wish we could change how that was handled."
"We are keenly aware of the emotions that have come to bear as fallout in this incident."
According to Miranda's mother, Tanaes Washinawatok, a teacher "slammed her hands down on the desk and stated, 'You are not to speak like that. How do I know you're not (saying) something bad? How would you like if I spoke in Polish and you didn't understand?'"
Sacred Heart School Principal Dan Minter also apologized.
He said he wasn't told the nature of the incident when he made the decision to suspend Miranda Washinawatok from the basketball game.
Based on events at Sacred Heart, Bound's letter states the diocese recognizes a need for cultural diversity training for students, staff and families at that and other schools.
The diocese plans to create a partnership with Menominee tribal members to implement cultural training at Sacred Heart in the coming months.
The diocese also plans to invite other cultural groups, including the Menominee, to bring ideas to create cultural awareness and sensitivity to all Catholic schools in the diocese.