Who is Riverside teacher Candice Reed in the viral dance video?

Candice Reed has risen into the spotlight after a video showing her wearing headgear mimicking the Native American costume had sparked an online backlash.

Candice Reed is a mathematics teacher at John W North High School in Riverside, California. Not much is known regarding her personal background. In a video that had found its way to Instagram and Tiktok, Candice was seen donning a fake Native American headdress and dancing around a classroom while doing tomahawk chops.

In another video, Candice was seen sitting on her desk, apparently demonstrating a prayer, then laughing. The video of the teacher was recorded by a native American student who “felt that violence was being committed against him and he had the right to record.”

As the video became viral, the American Indian Movement had promised to stage a protest in front of the school Thursday.

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The Riverside Unified School District Administration had come out with a statement distancing themselves from Candice’s behaviour and had confirmed that the teacher has been placed on leave while they conduct an investigation.

The Riverside Unified School District wrote:

“A recording of one of our teachers has been widely circulated on social media,” the district said in a statement. “These behaviors are completely unacceptable and an offensive depiction of the vast and expansive Native American cultures and practices. Her actions do not represent the values of our district.”