The 14-second video, reportedly recorded on Thursday, shows a man who appears to be an employee saying, “Browning school is not allowed. We’re not allowed to serve you guys.”
A student can be heard mumbling, “I guess they don’t like Indians here.” Browning is located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana.
Located on the Flathead Reservation, Ronan is home to nearly 2,000 people, the majority of whom are white, according to U.S. Census data.
Tara Tatsey of Browning said her son, who is on the wrestling team, sent the video to her. She then shared it on Facebook, where it amassed more than 150,000 views and 650 shares in less than 24 hours.
The video sparked widespread outrage. Some Blackfeet community members speculated that the team was turned away for racist reasons, others suggested boycotting McDonald’s.
Browning Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Rappold released a statement Friday saying that the boy’s wrestling team was denied service.
“This incident is being fully investigated and appropriate steps will be taken, including legal steps, if necessary,” she wrote. She applauded the team and coaches for responding “with dignity even when the management of the Ronan McDonald’s did not treat them with dignity.”
“[Browning Public Schools] will not stand down and walk away, this matter will be fully investigated and pursued to ensure this treatment does not continue,” she wrote. She did not clarify who would do the investigation and did not immediately reply to a request for comment from MTFP.
Responding to a request for comment, Chris and Melissa Crawshaw, who own the McDonald’s franchise in Ronan, said the incident “was the result of an unfortunate misunderstanding.”
“We sincerely apologize for the frustration this has caused,” they said in a written statement shared with MTFP through a McDonald’s spokesperson. “We’ve addressed the situation with our team and personally reached out to Browning High School to make things right. Let me be clear: Everyone is welcome in our restaurant. We’re honored to serve the Ronan community and look forward to welcoming all students at any time.”
Rappold did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon on whether she had heard from the McDonald’s owners. ...