VIDEO: Grand Gateway Hotel Owner Physically Attacks NDN Collective Racial Equity Director

May 27, 2022

VIDEO: Grand Gateway Hotel Owner Physically Attacks NDN Collective Racial Equity Director

Grand Gateway Hotel owner Connie Uhre approaches boycotters and sprays Sunny Red Bear, NDN Collective Director of Racial Equity, directly in the face with a cleaning product.

For Immediate Release: May 27, 2022

Rapid City, SD — Today, during a picket line event – which NDN Collective has been leading three times a week for the last six weeks – Connie Uhre, owner of the Grand Gateway Hotel, approached the boycotters and sprayed Sunny Red Bear, director of racial equity at NDN Collective, directly in the face with a cleaning product.

Grand Gateway Hotel owner Connie Uhre stepped out of her vehicle and began spraying boycotters with what appears to be some type of cleaning product.

“This is what we mean when we say that white supremacy is violent,” said Sunny Red Bear, racial equity director at NDN Collective. “No matter how long they lie dormant, peoples’ racist worldviews eventually come out in their actions. Connie Uhre already made her view of Native people clear when she said she’d ban all of us from her business, and when her staff followed through on that ban. Those actions alone were violent. Now that we’ve seen that she was willing to commit a physical act of violence – in public and in broad daylight – I hope that people will begin to understand and believe us when we say how dangerous and REAL racism is.”

“Connie Uhre’s behavior today was not only racist, violent and disgusting – it was also illegal. As Native people we will not sit on the sidelines while our rights are violated,” said Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective President and CEO. “This incident will be added to the federal civil rights lawsuit that was filed in March. We now call upon the Department of Justice to intervene and hold Connie Uhre and the Grand Gateway Hotel accountable for these racist and illegal acts against our people. It requires aggressive action to dismantle white supremacy. Everybody in this community should be outraged.”

###

NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building, and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.

Related Stories:

AUDIO & VIDEO: GRAND GATEWAY HOTEL REFUSES SERVICE TO NATIVE AMERICANS AFTER OWNER STATES INTENT TO BAN ALL NATIVES, NDN COLLECTIVE FILES CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT

TRIBAL LEADERS OF THE OCETI SAKOWIN DELIVER NOTICE OF TRESPASS AND EVICTION NOTICE TO GRAND GATEWAY HOTEL

NDN COLLECTIVE CALLS FOR BOYCOTT OF RAPID CITY BUSINESSES WITH RACIST POLICIES

TAKE ACTION! JOIN THE BOYCOTT AGAINST RACIST BUSINESSES IN RAPID CITY

TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW CONTACT

CABOT PETOIA, CLPETOIA@GMAIL.COM

August 2023 Edition

Stay Informed. Take Action.

Subscribe to the NDN allies newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter. Delivered once per month.

We care about the protection of your data and would never sell your email or share it with anyone without your permission.

Call to Action: No $100,000 Oñate Statue Posted 1 day ago
Rio Arriba County in Northern New Mexico is spending more than $100,000 to move a statue of conquistador and colonizer, Juan de Oñate, out of storage to display it in front of their county offices. This is not about a statue; this is about the settler colonial system that allows racist politicians like Alex Naranjo to do as they please on stolen land.
NDN Collective Launches Indigenous Climate & Just Transition Fund Posted 1 week ago
“We urge philanthropic organizations to join us in this moment by resourcing the Indigenous communities who have proven solutions to repair our relationship with the Earth. The climate investments implemented over the next few years will set the groundwork for generations to come.”  
4 Fossil Fuel Projects that Harm Indigenous Communities Posted 2 weeks ago
We remain persistent in reminding the Biden Administration and those in power that our Indigenous communities and lands continue to face harm through extractive measures that directly contribute to the climate crisis.
‘A Stain of Injustice’: Hundreds Gather, 35 Arrested in front of White House Calling for Release of Leonard Peltier

Jordynn Paz

Posted 2 weeks ago
“We’re asking Biden for Executive Clemency. We will keep coming back to the White House and we’ll be pressuring all parts of the government until we see justice for Leonard Peltier and see him come back with his family, community and people.”
NYC: Indigenous Communities Mobilize, Call for No More Fossil Fuels Posted 2 weeks ago
“Shutting down all pipelines is critical to addressing the greatest injustices faced by Indigenous people – from our water being poisoned, to our women and Two-spirit relatives being murdered and disappeared by the underbelly of the temporary fossil fuel industry workforce. We will not rest until all fossil fuels have been replaced by sustainable solutions implemented by Indigenous communities.” 
Indigenous Leaders and Allies Arrested at White House Rally in Support of Clemency for Native American Activist Leonard Peltier Posted 2 weeks ago
On Peltier’s 79th birthday, organizer and actor Dallas Goldtooth, National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp, NDN Collective President Nick Tilsen, and Executive Director of Amnesty International USA Paul O’Brien among those arrested urging President Biden to release Peltier after nearly 50 years in prison
"I am still here": Leonard Peltier's Letter to Supporters Posted 2 weeks ago
"Year after year, I have encouraged you to live as spirit warriors. Even while in here, I can envision what is real and far beyond these walls.  I've seen a reawakening of an ancient Native pride that does my heart good. I may leave this place in a box. That is a cold truth. But I have put my heart and soul into making our world a better place and there is a lot of work left to do - I would like to get out and do it with you."
Reclaiming the Rivers: Indigenous Defiance and the Fish Wars

Miguel Douglas

Posted 3 weeks ago
“Our connection to the water sustained our cultural ways, and we deeply revered and respected the life of the water for what it gave us, even viewing it as its own community with which we had a reciprocal relationship. They are part of us and we are part of them. This understanding continues to this day.”
Good Vibes & School Supplies: NDN Collective and Partners Host 4th Annual Backpack Giveaway

Jordynn Paz

Posted 3 weeks ago
“This is what we’re about. We’re about community. We’re about bringing unity, bringing love, compassion and meeting the needs of our people. We are taking up the responsibility to roll up our sleeves and create a better way for our communities and for our people, to show what is possible. I think that’s what you’re seeing here today. This is the movement showing up for the community.”
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Proposes Rule Re: Fluid Mineral Leases & Leasing Process Posted 3 weeks ago
Given that the regulatory framework for oil and gas leasing has not been updated since 1988, we have in this proposed rule a rare opportunity to steer Federal policy toward respecting Indigenous sovereignty and preserving treaty lands.

United like never before, we rise together—arm in arm—to equip all Indigenous Peoples with the tools needed to become architects of our future. Through a holistic approach to infrastructure, funding, advocacy, movement building, and philanthropy we are fostering a world of justice and equity for all people and the planet.