Donnie Wetzel Jr. knows better than most about a diverse cultural background.
After all, hes part of the famous Blackfeet Nations Wetzel family, which included his highly respected grandfather Walter S. (Blackie) Wetzel and namesake father, the great Cut Bank and Montana Grizzly basketball star and longtime state educator.
And Donnies mother is a seventh-generation Montanan of European descent.
When Donnie was a superb high school athlete on a Hi-Line reservation he heard some sarcastic talk referring to his appearance and apparent Caucasian heritage.
It was hurtful.
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At a young age, he says, I realized what white privilege was. I realized I could do a lot of things my brothers and sisters my teammates and friends couldnt do. Because unfortunately people see color and make judgments. I could get away with things and my friends couldnt.
It angered him.
https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/05/13/mansch-montana-native-american-youths-others-work-build-relationships/604129002/