Summer 2003

Discrimination Case

In 2002, Pine Tree Legal Assistance assisted two Native Americans in filing discrimination complaints with the Maine Human Rights Commission.  One of them was a 16 year-old member of the Mi'kmaq Nation in Eskasoni, and the other was a member of the Penobscot Indian Nation.  These complaints stemmed from incidents that occurred in the summer of 2001 at Delia's Branch Grocery in Columbia, Maine.  The staff of the Maine Human Rights Commission met with the parties and helped them find common ground. As part of those settlements, Kathy Greene, the owner of Delia's Branch Grocery, asked to make a statement, which follows:

My name is Kathy Greene and I own and operate a small convenience store in Columbia, Maine, known as Delia's Branch Grocery.  In the summer of 2001, we had two incidents that show that society still has a way to go in stamping out discrimination against Native Americans.  I am not exactly sure what happened (peoples' memories of events two years ago are not always as sharp as they could have been at the time) but essentially, on different days, two Native Americans have accused our store clerks of saying that we "do not rent videos" to Native Americans.  This is not our policy and never has been.  However, as owner of the store, it is my responsibility to see that these things do not happen.  I have personally apologized to the individuals involved and for the hurt that was caused.  I also have addressed this issue with the clerks involved, and told them that this was not how things were dealt with here.

The population in Columbia Falls almost triples in the summer.  Tourists and people here for the blueberry harvest become an important part of our economy.  During the rest of the year, frankly, our area is economically weak.  We appreciate, and need, your business.  The issue that cropped up in the summer of 2001 was about unfair treatment in renting videos.  We have addressed that issue and we are committed to treating all our customers fairly regarding renting videos and in everything else we do.  As for the rest of what we do, including cashing paychecks, selling sandwiches, and groceries, no one has had a complaint beyond the occasional customer gripes that you have in any store.  Frankly, we need each other. If you come into Delia's Store this summer, and if you have a complaint, come see me, Kathy Greene, and I will try to make it right. Thanks for listening.