SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A federal jury has found the owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City liable for discriminating against Native Americans after a Facebook post banning them from the property.
Jury Verdict
The jury awarded $1 to the NDN Collective, the Indigenous advocacy group that filed the lawsuit, and ordered the hotel’s parent company, Retsel Corporation, to pay tens of thousands of dollars in damages to other plaintiffs who were denied service.
The One-Dollar Claim
The group’s lawsuit was filed in 2022 and was intentionally symbolic. “This was never about money. We sued for one dollar,” said Wizipan Garriott, president of NDN Collective and an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. “It was about being on record for the discrimination that happened, and using this as an opportunity to be able to really call out racism.”
Background of the Case
The lawsuit targeted Retsel Corporation, the company that owns the Grand Gateway Hotel. The case was delayed when the company filed for bankruptcy in September 2024. The head of the company, Connie Uhre, passed away this September.
Bankruptcy Complications
The bankruptcy filing in September 2024 complicated the litigation, causing a pause in proceedings until the court could determine the company’s solvency and the status of its assets. Once the bankruptcy case was settled, the lawsuit resumed with new hearing dates set by the court.
Connie Uhre’s Facebook Post
In March 2022, Uhre posted on social media that she would ban Native Americans from the property after a fatal shooting at the hotel involving two teenagers whom police identified as Native American. She wrote, “I cannot allow a Native American to enter our business including Cheers,” the hotel’s bar and casino.
Attempts to Book and the Resulting Protests
After Uhre’s posts, members of the NDN Collective tried to book rooms at the hotel but were turned away. The incident sparked protests in Rapid City and drew condemnation from the mayor as well as state tribes.
Counter-Suit and Nuisance Award
In Friday’s decision, the jury also ruled in Retsel’s countersuit against NDN Collective that the group had acted as a nuisance in its protests against the hotel, awarding $812 to the company.
Consent Decree with the Justice Department
Following a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department in November 2023, Uhre had to publicly apologize and was banned from managing the establishment for four years.
Rapid City’s Demographics
Rapid City, a gateway to Mount Rushmore, has long seen racial tensions. At least 8 % of the city’s population of about 80,000 identifies as American Indian or Alaska Native, according to census data.
Broader Community Impact
The incident reflects broader challenges faced by Native American communities in the region and highlights the need for inclusive hospitality practices.
Significance of the Verdict
The ruling highlights the legal accountability of hospitality businesses for discriminatory practices and underscores the impact of social media statements on civil rights litigation.
Broader Implications
While the monetary award to the NDN Collective was symbolic, the case sets a precedent for future discrimination lawsuits and reinforces the importance of corporate responsibility in diverse communities.
Final Thoughts
The Grand Gateway Hotel’s owner faced legal and public backlash after a single Facebook post, illustrating how quickly a single statement can trigger a cascade of legal consequences and community action.
Closing
The federal jury’s decision marks a pivotal moment for Native American civil rights in South Dakota and signals that discriminatory policies will be scrutinized under the law.
