Diocese Apologizes to Wisconsin Student Who Was Punished for Speaking Menominee

From http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120228/GPG0101/202280492/Diocese-apologizes-Shawano-7th-grader

Diocese apologizes to Shawano 7th-grader
Girl was punished for using Menominee language in classroom
by Patti Zarling
February 28, 2012

The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay has officially apologized to a Shawano seventh-grader who was punished after using her native Menominee language in the classroom.

Miranda Washinawatok, a student at Sacred Heart 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.

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 that could be crafted into an action plan to create cultural awareness and sensitivity to all Catholic schools in the diocese.

Read the full article at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120228/GPG0101/202280492/Diocese-apologizes-Shawano-7th-grader