On Nov 9th, it was announced that a settlement was agreed to between the Department of Justice and South Dakota Hotel and Sports Lounge for the company discriminating against Native Americans.
According to a press release by the U.S. Department of Justice, the owners of Grand Gateway Hotel and the Cheers Sports Lounge and Casino in South Dakota have resolved a lawsuit imposed by the DOJ. The lawsuit alleged discrimination against Native American customers, constituting a violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The pending agreement states that Connie Uhre, owner of the company, will be barred from serving as an officer or director of the company in any capacity for at least four years. Additionally, the defendants will also have to issue a formal public apology to tribal organizations in South Dakota and throughout the Great Plains Region, according to the DOJ.
A press release stated that this lawsuit was filed by the department in Oct. 2022, arguing that Retsel Corporation and two directors had been discriminating against Native American customers since at least Mar. 20, 2022. Policies were implemented which restricted Native Americans full and equal access to services and accommodations at Grand Gateway Hotel and Cheers Sports Lounge and Casino. On Mar. 20, Connie Uhre made statements indicating her intention to exclude Native Americans from her establishments: "I do not want to allow Natives on property. The problem is we do not know the nice ones from the bad natives. So we just have to say no to them!" said Uhre. As part of their obligations under this settlement, Retsel Corporation must now retain a compliance officer who will oversee compliance with this decree settlement and implement employee training on anti-discrimination policies.
“The defendants’ conduct in this case was egregious, motivated by naked animus, and amounted to an outright ban on Native American customers seeking access to a public establishment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This kind of hateful conduct invokes a long and painful history of negative stereotypes against and exclusion of the Native American community. We applaud the Tribal elders, local officials, and advocates who took a stand against this shameful conduct. Our settlement should send a message to public establishments across the country that their doors must be open to all communities regardless of race. As we commemorate Native American Heritage Month, the Justice Department underscores its commitment to stand with Native Americans whenever they face unlawful discrimination,” said Clarke.
