12/21/2025
🎉GOOD NEWS! The jury ruled in favor of NDN Collective and the individual plaintiffs in the federal civil rights class action lawsuit filed in March 2022 against the Retsel Corporation, owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel.
Wrapping up a week-long trial, today (12/19), attorneys on both sides provided their closing arguments to the jury. After deliberating for more than 8 hours, this evening, their verdict was announced. NDN Collective requested to be compensated just $1 for the unlawful and discriminatory actions of Retsel Corporation and its owners.
“This case was never about money for NDN Collective – no amount of money will fix racism or make NDN Collective, and the people we stand for, whole,” said Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Director of He Sapa Initiatives at NDN Collective. “Our relatives have fought against the weight of racism their entire lives. It is not just one moment, or one person, or one business where subtle and blatant discrimination has harmed Native people in Rapid City. Racism has been part of the undercurrent of the city for far too long – today’s victory shows we’re ready for something better.”
“Many of our relatives organized against racism in Rapid City and passed on to the spirit world before they saw justice served,” said Nick Tilsen, founder and CEO of NDN Collective. “This fight is for our ancestors, for our sacred children and grandchildren, and for those whose voices and spirits have been silenced by those who dehumanize and attack Native people. We hope the outcome of this case makes it clear to the Retsel Corporation – and all businesses in Rapid City – that racism will always be bad for business, and that the Indigenous people in this community will never stop fighting for justice and equity.”
Related Articles:
📰 12/19 Press release: https://ndnco.cc/ndnsallowedpr
➡️ https://ndnco.cc/civilrightslawsuit
➡️ https://ndnco.cc/racismontrial
