RAPID CITY, S.D. – In line with a court ordered settlement, the Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City has published an apology on its social media channels.
In it, ownership formally apologized for comments made by former owner Connie Uhre regarding the treatment of Native Americans at the establishment.
Last year, the hotel and associated businesses became the center of a months-long protest, boycott effort and social media storm. This came after Uhre attempted to ban Native peoples from the business.
Along with the apology, the terms of the settlement, which can be found here, have also mandated Uhre step away from decision-making roles within the business for at least four years.
The ownership group still faces two lawsuits connected to the matter. One is from the indigenous advocacy network NDN Collective and another is from a Wisconsin family. Both suits allege the business denied Native peoples service based solely on their race.
