Jury rules for NDN Collective in civil rights case against Grand Gateway owner

A federal jury ruled in favor of NDN Collective and individual plaintiffs in a civil rights lawsuit against the Retsel Corporation, owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel, according to a press release issued by NDN Collective on Friday. The jury awarded NDN Collective $1 in damages for unlawful and discriminatory actions, an amount the organization requested.

“This case was never about money for NDN Collective,” Valeriah Big Eagle, director of He Sapa Initiatives at NDN Collective, said in the statement. She said the verdict reflects longstanding concerns about discrimination faced by Native people in Rapid City, South Dakota. Nick Tilsen, founder and CEO of NDN Collective, said the case was brought on behalf of ancestors, future generations and community members impacted by racism. The lawsuit was filed in March 2022 against Retsel Corporation, according to the release.