There has been an upwelling of such serious allegations within the Marty Indian School community over the last few days. Many parents, alumni, and even some staff are pushing for an independent investigation since their complaints are not given proper weight. I had been following this topic for a while because when something like that happens, you think about how students are dependent upon the school for their safety.
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The reports mostly began appearing when one counselor named Tracii Barse started to speak out about things told to her, covering much of what the parents, survivors, and school workers reported against certain coaches and other school staff. Allegedly, those complaints included sexual abuse of students, grooming, inappropriate relationships, and even tribal educational grants issues, like missing funds and favoritism. There are other alleged stories given to her, making it more horrifying for the community, about a plant-based stimulant called “mambe” being circulated.
What has puzzled many families is that they were expecting some action upon filing these complaints. However, according to Barse, it feels to her like no serious attention has been given to it. There were reports of meetings being canceled, and delaying the matter has made many parents feel as if nobody is actually listening. Reading her post, wherein she wrote that they have followed every step in the book, yet nothing has changed, straight-up took me back to those times where you feel absolutely helpless because you do everything right, but no one cares.
The community feels that they have lost trust in everyone because a person who is friendly to one party would be accused of being detrimental to another. Barse states that this situation appears messy and indicates that she has heard of more than one situation involving grooming and even minors being given controlled substances. I imagine how terrifying it must feel, especially for the younger ones, as a student myself.
People also comment on favoritism, family ties, religious sects, and political support, protecting individuals toward political progress. Barse also stated that some of the social media pages affiliated with the school have blocked communitarian voices, leaving the populace to feel as if their opinions are silenced.
According to a large number of people, this matter would include some questionable activities conducted under tribal education grants. Barse opines that some of those controlling the grant money still occupy key positions even after complaints had been lodged against them. Parents allege that they were promised specific programs and services in the grant plans, but that, once the money arrived, those programs never actually happened. The students say that they heard about these opportunities time and again, but had yet to receive a single one of them for real.
Barse suggested that these grant programs should be audited thoroughly and suspended until a clear audit is done. Moreover, she believes that anybody accused should be removed from all functions so that an investigation can take place. I think that is reasonable because, first of all, for a student to feel safe in a school, that environment needs to be circus-free.
She also discussed how many kids at MIS depend on the school. Some do not even get their basic needs covered at home. They trust their teachers, coaches, and staff as adults who guide them. When these same students are dealing with abuse or losing services that were supposed to help them, it becomes a huge emotional disturbance. It made me think about how, in my own school, some kids rely on teachers more than anybody else. It hits more painfully when someone does exploit that trust.
Both Barse and the community want different things. They want identified people suspended pending investigation, grant programs audited and their findings made public, an independent panel to review old and new complaints, an open dialogue with affected families by school and tribal officials, and protection for any whistle-blowers.
Barse says she has already reported the matter to the Bureau of Indian Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She explained the plan for a public demonstration at Marty Indian School on April 27, just as the BIE inspectors were arriving. Barse surmised that the objective is not to close the school but to rectify the issues and protect the students.
She then asserted that there was help on the way and would share more information and documentation in future posts. Parents, school staff, and alumni were asked to come forward if they had relevant information. She concluded by stating that this case is primarily about giving students a safe place where they feel respected and supported.
After reading all of this, I find that an honest and clear investigation is more necessary than ever after seeing how stricken the whole community has been. These are serious allegations that the students deserve the truth and proper action to be taken. When it comes to school, safety is something that every kid expects. That should always be a priority above anything else.
