Hotel Owner Makes Comment to Ban All Native Americans from Property
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A hotel owner in Rapid City took her frustration to social media early Sunday morning after police were called to investigate a shooting at the Grand Gateway Hotel early Saturday morning.
Grand Gateway Hotel co-owner Connie Uhre wrote a comment on Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender’s Facebook profile Sunday: “Do [sic] to the killing that took place at the Grand Gateway Hotel on March 19, 2022 at 4 am, plus all the vandalism we have had since the Mayor and Police Department are working with the non-profit organization (Dark Money), we will no longer allow Native Americans on property, including Cheers.”
She also wrote that she "can’t tell who is a bad Native or a good Native.”
According to the Rapid City Journal , police responded to a disturbance at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Saturday at 1721 N. Lacrosse Street, the address of the Grand Gateway Hotel. Upon arrival, police were notified that a gun had been fired on the property, possibly in one of the rooms. After a search of the property, police were able to find a male victim with life-threatening injuries and he was transported to the local hospital.
According to the Rapid City Police Department, the man is still alive.
“First and foremost, I want to offer my prayers and concern for the young man fighting for his life in ICU after Saturday’s shooting,” said South Dakota State Senator Red Dawn Foster in a statement to Native News Online. “My prayers for strength extend to his family, as this is every mother’s worse nightmare.”
As the investigation of the incident is ongoing, details are unclear as to what happened on the hotel’s property late Saturday morning. Information shared with Native News Online revealed that the victim was among his friends.
“It is unfortunate he [the victim] thought he was amongst friends and that his general well-being would be looked out for,” said Foster of the incident. “As our city grows, there will be those that do not uphold our sense of community.”
The hotel is on Rapid City’s Northside and is connected to popular local bar Cheers, and a 24-hour Perkins.
Rapid City Police arrested Quincy Bear Robe, 19, for aggravated assault and commission of a felony with a firearm following an initial investigation. Robe is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday morning.
Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender posted a screenshot on Twitter of Connie Uhre’s comment on Monday that neither the shooting nor the hotel's response reflects the city's values.
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier also condemned the statement by the hotel owner, saying her comment is a reminder that since settlers have been in the Black Hills that members of the Great Sioux Nation have always been treated as a problem.
“I condemn this statement for all of the racism and discrimination this imposes on us,” said Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier in a press release on Monday. “This type of behavior will no longer be tolerated in this day and age.”
“Not too long ago an Indian was murdered when someone shot him point blank in a bar in this very city,” said Frazier. “You did not hear us condemn a whole race of people, so don’t condemn our people. Statements like this shows [sic] your feelings about all Indians.”
Local leaders are demanding an apology from the hotel owner, who is currently out of the country. Allender may also issue an official statement and letter of condemnation, if the owner does not rescind her comment.
“It is unfortunate that the ‘No Indians Allowed’ sentiments still exist,” said Foster. “‘Banning all Native Americans is not only federally illegal, but morally reprehensible by all people who value human dignity.”
“Connie Uhre, ‘Banning all Native Americans’ from Grand Gateway and Cheers will not be necessary,” Foster wrote of Uhre’s comment. “I choose not to spend my money at venues that see no value in us as a people, and I am sure I am not alone.”
Federal law prohibits discrimination based on national origin, race, color, or religion in places of public accommodation. Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, and places of entertainment, such as a bar.
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Unfortunately, it's not only SD that shares this vision - ND, MT, ID, WA, OR, UT, etc. - and they just won't quit.
The hotel-room shooting at Grand Gateway Saturday left a man with severe injuries, Rapid City Police said. Quincy Bear Robe, 19, was arrested on multiple charges, the Rapid City Journal reported.
Uhre, meanwhile, offered a special rate for non-Native travelers and ranchers. She also blamed the city’s mayor and police department for a so-called increase in crime.
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold C. Frazier told The Daily Beast he was outraged by Uhre’s blatant racism and discrimination, and wanted an “immediate apology.”
“When those wagons first began their way to break treaties and settle on our territory, we were classified as lesser beings and genocide was justified as such. The words uttered by this person is a reminder to my people that this is still the case: No Indians allowed ,” he added. “…To those who will try to distance themselves from these words and thoughts to save face and business, I say to you that it is unfair to be generalized. ”
You should check out 'Cheers' facebook page.
The son put out a conspiracy ridden 'apology'. It flew like a lead balloon.
I also read another article that said that the whole bar staff and many of the hotel staff quit.
They're done...
I read that "apology." It was an absolute mess. It was obvious he was grasping at straws.
How to ruin your business in one easy step...
You are not alone.
gee, I wonder who the people in SD that support this racist bullshit voted for in 2020?
Well, the white governor of South Dakota wants to add Trump's face to Mt Rushmore , so I guess that might be a clue.
It's fucking Rapid City, this is not all that shocking with anyone that is familiar with Rapid City or SD.
She could put up, ''No Dog or Indians'' sign. They were quite popular in the 50's, 60s, 70s. in the Dakota's and Minnesota. Now we see signs like this in Rapid City (2021)
Welcome to South Dakota if you're not Indian.
Reminiscent of the "No Jews Allowed" signs that were placed at private clubs back when I was a little kid. There is a story of a "high class" private club in Toronto called The Primrose Club that was well known to exclude Jews from membership. At an event near Christmas a Rabbi, Protestant Minister and a Muslim Imam were invited to give a special program on religion to the membership. When the Rabbi walked by a Christmas creche in the hallway with baby Jesus in it, he asked "What's HE doing here?"
Isnt that illegal?
Not in SD - look at who the governor is - Kristi Noem.
If it is it doesn't seem to matter in SD.
Federal civil rights laws dont apply in South Dakota ?
Ask the folks who were at Wounded Knee in '73 - ask Leonard Peltier. Civil Rights do apply if you're white.
Of course it's the law but you're talking about SD and to Indians the Dakota's, MN, WI and MI are called the ''deep north''.
Got news for you. Saw that sign in Jefferson County, CA, on the way to Yosemite in the 2000's. It made me sick.
Now that makes me sick.
What serendipity. I just finished reading this article:
South Dakota has been called “the Mississippi of the North” for its long history of making voting hard for Native Americans.
I've already been to Mississippi, guess I don't need to go to South Dakota.
Mom was from MS - and she was Chickasaw (I say was - she has passed) - and I'd get to spend many a summer/fall with the Redskin hating Southerners. Got called many a name, spit on, tobacco thrown on me, sat in the back of the bus when I was allowed to get on it - etc., etc..
Yup - two peas in a pod.
My dad's family is from MS. We used to go down there when I was a young kid. Most of my memories are of chiggers in the grass and leeches in the swimming hole.
We were in Tupelo - four houses down from Elvis' original lodge
. Was told I actually got to meet and play with him when I was 2 
.
What gets me is how people can treat others so badly yet name everything in the state after them.
I actually don't think it is as bad today as it use to be but then again, I live on the coast.
I remember a conflict a while back where they let corporations and other business open casinos yet wouldn't let the NAs do so on their land.
Not just SD, Steve. Add in ND, MT, ID, WY and a number of other states.
Don't forget Texas. My husband was in a restaurant in TX back in the 90's and as he was walking back from the restroom some guy sitting at a table looked up at him, held up his palm and said, "How."
WTF?!
Yup. My husband is part Native American, Spanish, and French*. Back then without his beard he looked more NA than Spanish
*he has the nerve to call me a Heinz 57
I've been called worse. I've called you worse...
Butt, there were no racist sentiments spoken!
And I am proud that you were able to use a word of the day on me. <smile>
Oh my, Mr. Giggles is NA!! The first thing we have to do is change his name from Mr. Giggles to Mr. Baashkaapi.
Can't she be sued for discrimination?
Ask and you will receive.
thank you
So is she going to change the name to "The Grand Hateway Hotel"?
I wonder how long before this place goes bankrupt. And they did this over a shootiing? It's America lots of people of lots of ethnicities get shot in lots of places.
That is true Freefaller, but we are talking about Rapid City and SD, the rules are different. The Lakota Nation Invitational (basketball tournament) is held in RC every year and brings in millions of dollars of revenue yet because of all the racist incidents there in 2016 the Lakota nation came very close to moving the tournament to another city/area/state. They didn't but there are still racist problems there as can be seen from this article.
Trying to rent an apartment or home there if your Indian is a whole other experience and it's not a good experience.
Got a friend who attended one of the tournaments in 2014 and she was from out of town (Melbourne, FL).
Flew in, went to the car rental counter (Hertz) to pick up the car she had reserved. She gave them all the license/ins info they requested and then they asked how she was gonna pay for it. She pulls out her Visa - the clerk shook her head and said she can't accept that. Pulled out her AmEx - nope - can't accept - pulled out cash - nope - can't accept 'cause you never know where you got that money from and we can't take your cards 'cause we all know you people steal them all the time and you all look alike. Sorry - can't help you. Might wanna rent a cab while you're here.
Cathy has black hair, dark brown eyes, FL tan and is Irish, Scots and English.
Pizzed isn't a kind word to use for her attitude at that time.
After her letter to Hertz, she now receives discounts each time she rents - indefinitely.
How does Perrie hold on. What? Oh! Nevermind...