Minnesota Rules a Credit Union and a Downtown Minneapolis Bar Discriminated Against Native Customers Who Showed Tribal IDs

Minnesota Rules a Credit Union and a Downtown Minneapolis Bar Discriminated Against Native Customers Who Showed Tribal IDs

Two Twin Cities businesses found liable under state law

Minnesota's Department of Human Rights (MDHR) announced Friday, October 16, that Wings Financial Credit Union in Coon Rapids and The Office Pub & Grill, a sports bar in downtown Minneapolis, violated state law when their employees refused to serve Native American customers who presented tribal identification. The two cases were investigated separately, and each involved one complainant.

Credit union denied a customer service six times in four months

According to MDHR, a customer at the Wings Financial Credit Union branch in Coon Rapids was denied teller assistance and access to her account six times over four months after she showed a valid identification card issued by the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. Investigators said the credit union required documentation that other customers were not asked to provide, was hostile to the customer, and refused to give her full access to its banking services.

Bar refused service three times despite a valid Red Lake ID

In the second case, a member of the Red Lake Nation was refused service on three separate occasions by a bartender at The Office Pub & Grill. The customer had shown his unexpired tribal identification card, which confirmed his age, according to the findings.

State law treats a tribal ID like a Minnesota ID

Minnesota law states that wherever a Minnesota identification card is accepted, a tribal identification card is also acceptable. The complaints in both cases stemmed from incidents that took place in 2024.

Commissioner: rejecting a tribal ID undercuts sovereignty

"Tribal identification is an integral part of a Tribe's sovereignty, right to self-determination, and self-governance," Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said. "Schools, businesses, and law enforcement cannot refuse Tribal identification or require additional burdens on Tribal members who use their Tribal ID."

Minnesota shares its land with 11 sovereign tribal nations

Minnesota is home to 11 sovereign tribal nations, made up of seven Anishinaabe reservations and four Dakota communities, each with its own distinct government, according to MDHR.

The bar's lawyer calls it confusion and is appealing

The Office Pub's attorney, Dennis Johnson, told the Star Tribune his client is appealing the state's findings. He said the bar did serve the same man a drink on one visit when he presented a state driver's license, and that the real problem is that businesses do not know what tribal IDs look like. "The fact that we didn't serve somebody based upon confusion over an ID, that's not discrimination," Johnson said. "They make it sound like we didn't serve him because he's an Indian. That's not true."

The credit union says it is updating its policy

The Star Tribune reported that Wings Financial Credit Union said it is updating its policy. MDHR officials said they are in discussions with both businesses about next steps, with the goal of securing structural changes that prevent future discrimination.

Failing to comply can bring civil and punitive penalties

Noncompliance with the state's anti-discrimination law can result in civil and punitive penalties. MDHR has advised local businesses to update their policies and train employees on tribal identification.

Residents who believe they faced discrimination can file a complaint

People who believe they have been discriminated against can contact the department through its online intake form, which MDHR uses to evaluate whether to open an investigation.