Published on: December 21, 2025, 01:39h.
Updated on: December 21, 2025, 01:39h.
- Federal jury determines Grand Gateway Hotel engaged in discrimination against Native Americans.
- NDN Collective received $1; additional compensation awarded to individual claimants.
- Jury identified protest actions as a nuisance; Retsel granted $812.
A federal jury has found the owners of a South Dakota hotel liable for discrimination, following national scrutiny in March 2022 over allegations of excluding Native Americans from their establishment.
The Grand Gateway Hotel, along with its owner Retsel Corporation, was sued by advocacy group NDN Collective in 2022 under the Civil Rights Act for allegedly denying room bookings to its members on multiple occasions.
The protests were triggered by a Facebook post from the late owner Connie Uhre, declaring that she could no longer permit Native Americans to enter the hotel, including the Cheers bar, which features video lottery terminals.
Uhre’s post followed a tragic incident where a shooting occurred in one of the hotel rooms, resulting in the death of Myron Pourier Jr., 19. Both the deceased and the alleged shooter, Quincy Bear Robe, were Native American, with Bear Robe later sentenced to 75 years in prison for his actions.
The hotel’s policy incited protests, leading to a significant demonstration along Rapid City’s primary commercial area in opposition to the treatment of Native Americans.
‘Not Just About Money’
The jury’s verdict concluded that the hotel and its owner had acted in a discriminatory manner, violating civil rights protections by refusing service to Native American clientele.
NDN Collective received $1 in nominal damages—intentionally sought as a symbolic gesture of accountability, rather than for financial compensation.
Nevertheless, individual plaintiffs who faced denial of bookings may receive compensatory and punitive damages, potentially amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
“This case was never about money for the NDN Collective—no monetary sum can erase racism or restore the dignity of those we represent,” stated NDN Collective Director Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle. “…This victory signifies that we are striving for greater change.”
Bankruptcy Affects Trial Schedule
The Retsel Corporation was under the control of Uhre, whose son Nicholas was involved in the management. Connie Uhre, who passed away in September 2025 at age 78, faced legal consequences in May 2022 for assaulting protesters with a household cleaner.
As per an agreement made in November 2023 with the US Department of Justice, Uhre was mandated to publicly apologize and was prohibited from managing the hotel for four years.
Proceedings for the trial faced postponement after Retsel sought bankruptcy protection in September 2024.
A counter-lawsuit was also resolved, with a jury ruling that some of the NDN Collective’s protest activities constituted a nuisance under state law, leading to an order for the group to compensate Retsel $812.