St. Paul Public Schools board member Chauntyll Allen is facing backlash after a reported June 21 Facebook post said dogs should relieve themselves in White Christian cemeteries instead of on Indigenous sacred land near Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Off Leash Dog Park.
Minneapolis Park Board Approves Dog Park Closure
The controversy began with a June 17 vote by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Commissioners approved a resolution directing the superintendent to decommission the Minnehaha Off Leash Recreation Area by Dec. 31, 2026.
The board’s action followed concerns about the site’s location near Mni Owe Sni, also known as Coldwater Spring. The area carries cultural and spiritual significance for Dakota people and other Tribal Nations.
Reported Cemetery Comment Shifts Focus
Allen’s reported comment appeared in a Facebook group connected to supporters of the Minnehaha dog park. The post questioned why dog parks could not be placed in White Christian cemeteries.
The post then said people should leave Indigenous land sacred and let dogs urinate on “White corpses.” The language quickly shifted the debate from park policy to the conduct of an elected school official.
Allen has served on the St. Paul school board since 2020. The district lists her current board role as clerk, with a term that runs from January 2024 through December 2028.
Sacred Land Debate Preceded Online Backlash
The Minnehaha dog park dispute had already drawn strong reactions before Allen’s reported post. Dog owners said the park has long provided rare open space for pets, families, and residents near the Mississippi River. Supporters of closure argued that off-leash dog use conflicts with the site’s Indigenous significance. The board’s resolution followed a broader discussion about land stewardship and public access.
The park sits within a larger area tied to Dakota history. Supporters of the change have said public recreation should not override cultural respect for sacred ground.
School Board Position Raises Public Pressure
Allen’s role as an elected education official increased scrutiny of the reported remark. School board members represent families across racial, religious, income, and political beliefs. The cemetery language drew criticism because it appeared to target White Christians and Christian burial grounds. Critics said the comment showed poor judgment from a public official.
The school district has not announced any disciplinary action. It has also not released a fuller statement on whether board conduct rules apply to the reported post.
Federal Church Case Adds Scrutiny
Allen also faces scrutiny in a separate federal case stemming from a Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul. Protesters entered the church during a service to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Federal authorities accused several people of disrupting worship. Allen was among those publicly connected to the case.
State-level charges will not move forward against dozens of protesters. The church protest state charges were declined after a city review found insufficient evidence under Minnesota law.
Park Users Want Replacement Options
The Minnehaha dog park has been one of the city’s most recognizable off-leash areas. Its river access and wooded space made it a regular destination for many residents.
The current park remains open during the transition. Dogs may continue using the site under existing rules until officials complete the decommissioning process.
Dispute Tests Local Leadership
The fight now includes three overlapping issues. The first is the future of a public dog park. The second is respect for Indigenous sacred land. The third is the conduct of an elected school board member. Those issues do not carry the same legal weight, but they now shape the same public debate. Allen’s reported post made a local park’s decision part of a broader argument about speech, accountability, and public trust.
The controversy also shows how quickly a social media comment can change a policy discussion. The original issue was where off-leash dogs should be allowed. The new issue includes whether a school official’s words damaged public confidence.
Latest Known Status
Allen remains listed as a clerk on the St. Paul Board of Education. The district has not announced further action tied to the reported Facebook comment.
The reported Facebook cemetery remark has become the latest flashpoint in a dispute that began with sacred-land concerns and a vote on the closure of a dog park.
