By Nick LaFave & photojournalist John Thain, FOX 21 News

DULUTH - A Duluth shop owner says he's sorry for selling t-shirts some call racist.  While that apology is fine for one Native American woman, others say this is a missed educational opportunity.

The clothing racks at "I Love Duluth" no longer contain these shirts, called racist by many in the Native American community.

"Anger.  Anger and disbelief," says Donna Blue Bird, who complained to owner Simon Shaked about the shirts after seeing them Wednesday.  She says they were blatant racism to a woman who's dealt with prejudice her entire life.

"I was beaten to learn English.  Yes, this is personal."

Mr. Shaked says he got the t-shirts from a catalog from T-Lines.  He says there are a variety of shirts in here that could be found offensive by a variety of people that he did not order.

"I will go after the company," says Blue Bird.  "I guarantee you that."

But, there is one group who wished things hadn't gone this far.

"The apology wasn't what I wanted.  I wanted to use this as a teaching opportunity," says Donna Ennis with the 'Duluth Native American Commission.'

She approached Shaked about the shirts days before Blue Bird.  He says he didn't know they were offensive.  She explained to him why she thinks these were different than shirts depicting, for example, Irish drinking.

"The Irish people are not oppressed people.  And, it's not damaging to them as a whole.  I mean, it's nearly wiped out our population alone, the evils of alcohol."

Ennis says they were in talks with Shaked to buy up his inventory to keep them away from tourists... and wanted to invite in to a Native American Commission meeting.  Instead, after speaking with Blue Bird, he heavily discounted them, promising not to order any more.

"All this did was stopped him from selling two shirts and we're not further ahead and no opportunity to teach."

We spoke with 'T-Lines" by phone.

They issued this statement:
"If any store owner or customer wants to send our shirts back for any reason, we will honor a full refund or exchange."