What was the ruling against the Grand Gateway Hotel owner?

The owner was found liable for discrimination against Native Americans by a federal jury.

Why did NDN Collective sue the Grand Gateway Hotel?

NDN Collective sued over the hotel's discriminatory practice of banning Native Americans after a public statement by the owner.

What is the racial tension like in Rapid City?

Rapid City has a history of racial tensions, with a significant portion of its population identifying as Native American.

Home / Crime and Justice / Hotel Owner Found Liable for Native American Discrimination

Hotel Owner Found Liable for Native American Discrimination

21 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Hotel owner found liable for discrimination against Native Americans.
Jury awarded $1 to NDN Collective and $812 to hotel owner.
Social media posts led to hotel banning Native Americans.

Hotel Owner Found Liable for Native American Discrimination

A federal jury determined on Friday that the owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota, discriminated against Native Americans. This verdict follows a civil rights lawsuit filed in 2022 by the Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective. The company Retsel Corporation, which owns the hotel, was found liable for denying service to Native American individuals.

The legal battle saw delays due to Retsel Corporation filing for bankruptcy in September 2024. The jury awarded $1 to NDN Collective and $812 to Retsel Corporation in a countersuit concerning protests. The hotel owner had previously posted on social media in March 2022, announcing a ban on Native Americans following an incident involving two teenagers identified as Native American.