McDonalds charity excludes Native Americans/ Alaska Natives

Mato Winyan · 12-21-2003, 12:13 PM

McDonalds charity excludes Native Americans/ Alaska Natives
Old myths about gaming and BIA education grants maybe keeping Indians out

ANCHORAGE AK
Sam Lewin 12/19/2003

One of the largest charities in the country specifically offers
scholarships to just about every major minority group in the country except
Native Americans. In defending the decision, officials at the Ronald
McDonald House Charities said they offer assistance to those children who
are a priority.

John Smelcer is an Ahtna Athabaskan Indian and Tribal Grants Administrator
in Anchorage, Alaska. His daughter, Zora, is a sophomore in high school. In
September, father and daughter were waiting for an order of cheeseburgers
at an Anchorage McDonalds and Smelcer, reading information about Ronald
McDonald House Charities, noticed that the organization offers
race-specific scholarships to African American, Asian American and Hispanic
American students. The charity’s literature stated they “ offer
scholarships to students from disadvantaged communities who face limited
access to education and career opportunities.”

Smelcer wondered why Native Americans are not included in the list.
According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income of
the average American Indian home is only $26,000, compared to $37,000 for
African Americans. Only 2.1% of Native American high school students attend
college.

So Smelcer began to write letters to the charity, quoting figures like the
one above, and asking for a change in policy.

“ American Indian income is 30-40% less than the U.S. average,” stated one
correspondence. “ Your policy, while not illegal, is entirely unethical. To
award scholarships to three of the four national, protected minority
groups, to purposely discriminate against one group (possibly on the basis
of misinformation and personal prejudice) is unethical.”

Several months later, Smelcer finally received several responses from the
charity. Both spelled his name wrong. Ronald McDonald House Charities
Director Susan Kerr said the exclusion of Native American children was not
a mistake.

“…We, just like lots of folks these days, must prioritize our dollars
available for grants and programs,” Kerr wrote. “At this time, the chapters
participating in the scholarship programs feel we have the scholarships
that fit the majority of their constituents’ needs now.”

Kerr said Native students are welcome to apply for grants under a “general
scholarship”. She did not return a phone call from the Native American
Times seeking comment.

“ We must prioritize how we spend the dollars we have for scholarships,”
wrote Ronald McDonald House Charities official Debbie Stone. “ When we look
at the data related to need for assistance nationally, Native Americans do
appear on the list. However, students of African American, Hispanic and
Asian heritage still need a tremendous level of assistance.”

Smelcer said the whole situation has left him frustrated and wondering if
the myth that “all Indian students go to college for free” has permeated
the charity’s management. He is also disappointed for Zora, who hopes to
someday become a doctor.

“ I’m just a father and looking for chances to get a scholarship for my
daughter. It angered me that her favorite restaurant her whole life would
not give her a chance.”

**traci_m** · 12-21-2003, 01:55 PM

:TD: Not only are the standing behind these "reasons", but they think it's logical?

Morons.

Gache · 12-21-2003, 03:11 PM

So the rest of you are you going to boycott mcdonalds? Or are you going to carry on with your apathetic lives and support an organization that takes your money but doesn't give a crap about your community?

w30 · 12-22-2003, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gache
So the rest of you are you going to boycott mcdonalds? Or are you going to carry on with your apathetic lives and support an organization that takes your money but doesn't give a crap about your community?

I thought Mcdonals were franchises and I did a search for Mcdonalds franchises and on their site it said aprox. 70 % were franchises, so I dunno how much good boycoting would be ?
I also found the website for the scolorships and it has a contact us on the right side of the page. Maybe educating them and letting them know how people feal about it ?
http://www.rmhc.com/mission/scholarships/

**traci_m** · 12-22-2003, 12:49 PM

Damn, dude. . .I never go to McDonald's anyway. YUCK! ;)

Gache · 12-22-2003, 05:29 PM

portion of franchise money always makes it up the ladder. They have to buy the product from mcdonalds corp.

Blackbear · 12-22-2003, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gache
So the rest of you are you going to boycott mcdonalds? Or are you going to carry on with your apathetic lives and support an organization that takes your money but doesn't give a crap about your community?

How bout I don't donate to McDonald's charities and donate to native american one's instead? (apathetic lives... sheesh)

Gache · 12-22-2003, 06:41 PM

well theres quite a few of them in here these days blackbear, but I didnt mean everyone

12-23-2003, 01:01 PM

Anyone know where Ronald McDonald House Charities is located? I'm moving to Chicago soon and McDonalds Corporate Headquarters is near so I can "correspond" with their office easily. Not to defend McDonalds, but when you have a headquarters in a state such as Illinois, where no Native American tribes are located, I don't think much thought is given to native issues. It prolly would be a different situation if the headquarters were in Oklahoma or South Dakota. Maybe the McDonald's Corporation just needs more enlightenment!:o

Blackbear · 12-23-2003, 09:07 PM

Well now Ronald McDonald house is something entirely different from the scholarship things.. I mean it's a medical charity for children and the families of children with serious and terminal illnesses, and it's not a discriminitory area. I've known natives and whites and blacks alike that Ronald mcDonald House has helped. And there are Ronald Mc donald houses all over the US . And actually there are TWO in Oklahoma.. here check for yourself.

http://www.rmhc.com/mission/rmhs/search/

**ojibwaysweetie** · 12-30-2003, 08:24 AM

That maddens me so much! On the other hand, I am not all that surprised, either. Something simple such as the damn media won't even cover anything good we have happening, just the negative, "typical" stuff with ndns.

Inconsideration of first nation peoples ignites the ire in me. :Yell

superndngyrl · 12-30-2003, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ojibwaysweetie
Inconsideration of first nation peoples ignites the ire in me. :Yell

whats an ire? :Chatter

12-21-2003, 12:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mato Winyan Dancing makes you smile Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,477 Blog Entries: 4	McDonalds charity excludes Native Americans/ Alaska Natives McDonalds charity excludes Native Americans/ Alaska Natives Old myths about gaming and BIA education grants maybe keeping Indians out ANCHORAGE AK Sam Lewin 12/19/2003 One of the largest charities in the country specifically offers scholarships to just about every major minority group in the country except Native Americans. In defending the decision, officials at the Ronald McDonald House Charities said they offer assistance to those children who are a priority. John Smelcer is an Ahtna Athabaskan Indian and Tribal Grants Administrator in Anchorage, Alaska. His daughter, Zora, is a sophomore in high school. In September, father and daughter were waiting for an order of cheeseburgers at an Anchorage McDonalds and Smelcer, reading information about Ronald McDonald House Charities, noticed that the organization offers race-specific scholarships to African American, Asian American and Hispanic American students. The charity’s literature stated they “ offer scholarships to students from disadvantaged communities who face limited access to education and career opportunities.” Smelcer wondered why Native Americans are not included in the list. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income of the average American Indian home is only $26,000, compared to $37,000 for African Americans. Only 2.1% of Native American high school students attend college. So Smelcer began to write letters to the charity, quoting figures like the one above, and asking for a change in policy. “ American Indian income is 30-40% less than the U.S. average,” stated one correspondence. “ Your policy, while not illegal, is entirely unethical. To award scholarships to three of the four national, protected minority groups, to purposely discriminate against one group (possibly on the basis of misinformation and personal prejudice) is unethical.” Several months later, Smelcer finally received several responses from the charity. Both spelled his name wrong. Ronald McDonald House Charities Director Susan Kerr said the exclusion of Native American children was not a mistake. “…We, just like lots of folks these days, must prioritize our dollars available for grants and programs,” Kerr wrote. “At this time, the chapters participating in the scholarship programs feel we have the scholarships that fit the majority of their constituents’ needs now.” Kerr said Native students are welcome to apply for grants under a “general scholarship”. She did not return a phone call from the Native American Times seeking comment. “ We must prioritize how we spend the dollars we have for scholarships,” wrote Ronald McDonald House Charities official Debbie Stone. “ When we look at the data related to need for assistance nationally, Native Americans do appear on the list. However, students of African American, Hispanic and Asian heritage still need a tremendous level of assistance.” Smelcer said the whole situation has left him frustrated and wondering if the myth that “all Indian students go to college for free” has permeated the charity’s management. He is also disappointed for Zora, who hopes to someday become a doctor. “ I’m just a father and looking for chances to get a scholarship for my daughter. It angered me that her favorite restaurant her whole life would not give her a chance.” __________________ "We see it as a desecration not only of a mountain but of our way of life. This is a genocidal issue to us. If they kill this mountain, they kill our way of life." ~Debra White Plume

12-23-2003, 09:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Blackbear Gone Fishing Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,522	Well now Ronald McDonald house is something entirely different from the scholarship things.. I mean it's a medical charity for children and the families of children with serious and terminal illnesses, and it's not a discriminitory area. I've known natives and whites and blacks alike that Ronald mcDonald House has helped. And there are Ronald Mc donald houses all over the US . And actually there are TWO in Oklahoma.. here check for yourself. http://www.rmhc.com/mission/rmhs/search/ __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v4...Video002-1.flv

12-30-2003, 08:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
ojibwaysweetie PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Heart of the Great Lakes, Ontario Canada Posts: 4,928	That maddens me so much! On the other hand, I am not all that surprised, either. Something simple such as the damn media won't even cover anything good we have happening, just the negative, "typical" stuff with ndns. Inconsideration of first nation peoples ignites the ire in me. :Yell __________________ "Gaa wiin daa-aangoshkigaazo ahaw enaabiyaan gaa-inaabid"

12-21-2003, 01:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
traci_m Circus Director Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,508	:TD: Not only are the standing behind these "reasons", but they think it's logical? Morons.

12-21-2003, 03:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gache Quality Taco Inspector Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: PA Posts: 555	So the rest of you are you going to boycott mcdonalds? Or are you going to carry on with your apathetic lives and support an organization that takes your money but doesn't give a crap about your community?

12-22-2003, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
traci_m Circus Director Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,508	Damn, dude. . .I never go to McDonald's anyway. YUCK! ;)

12-22-2003, 05:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gache Quality Taco Inspector Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: PA Posts: 555	portion of franchise money always makes it up the ladder. They have to buy the product from mcdonalds corp.

12-22-2003, 06:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gache Quality Taco Inspector Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: PA Posts: 555	well theres quite a few of them in here these days blackbear, but I didnt mean everyone

12-23-2003, 01:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Awful_Mnom_Woman Guest Posts: n/a	Anyone know where Ronald McDonald House Charities is located? I'm moving to Chicago soon and McDonalds Corporate Headquarters is near so I can "correspond" with their office easily. Not to defend McDonalds, but when you have a headquarters in a state such as Illinois, where no Native American tribes are located, I don't think much thought is given to native issues. It prolly would be a different situation if the headquarters were in Oklahoma or South Dakota. Maybe the McDonald's Corporation just needs more enlightenment!:o