Jason Brown, a jeweler and citizen of the
Penobscot Nation, has won a $40,000 judgment in a racial discrimination case in Maine.
Brown was subjected to “unwelcome harassment based on race” at his former place of employment, Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy wrote in a February 23 decision first reported by The Bangor Daily News. In addition to calling Brown “Big Indian” and making references to “squaw” and “Indians and firewater,” the owners of
Day's Jewelers even used the n-word in the workplace, the ruling stated.
“Mr. Brown testified credibly about being called a ‘prairie [n——-]’ or ‘canoe [n——-]’ while growing up on Indian Island and it was clear from his demeanor that he had been harmed by this terminology both as a child and while working at Day’s,” the judge said in the
10-page decision.
Day's owner Jeff Corey also showed Brown a photo of a Native person doing a rain dance, according to “undisputed” evidence produced at trial, the ruling stated.
Brown and his wife are now the owners and operators of
Decontie & Brown, a jewelry and fashion company. Brown's works have been
featured by the Maine Historical Society
Read More on the Story:
Penobscot Indian Nation man wins $40,000 in harassment suit against Day’s Jewelers
(The Bangor Daily News March 6, 2018)
Native American Maine jeweler who claims his bosses called him 'Big Indian' and used other racial slurs wins $40,000 in lawsuit
(The Associated Press March 7, 2018)
Man who says boss called him 'Big Indian' wins $40K in suit
(The Associated Press March 7, 2018)
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