{"id":31004,"date":"2023-04-04T08:15:32","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T12:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/2023\/04\/04\/deliberate-disregard-honor-the-earth-liable-in-sexual-harassment-case\/"},"modified":"2023-07-31T21:53:20","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T01:53:20","slug":"deliberate-disregard-honor-the-earth-liable-in-sexual-harassment-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/04\/04\/deliberate-disregard-honor-the-earth-liable-in-sexual-harassment-case\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Deliberate disregard’: Honor The Earth liable in sexual harassment case"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Winona<\/a>
Winona LaDuke poses with a red hand print on her face as part of the Treaty People Walk for Water event in Minnesota in August 2021. Photo: Peg Hunter<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
‘Deliberate disregard’<\/div>\r\n
Winona LaDuke’s organization found liable in sexual harassment case<\/div>\r\n
Tuesday, April 4, 2023<\/div>\r\n
By Acee Agoyo<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

Note: This story contains accounts of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual misconduct, as well as photos and screenshots of people accused of sexual misconduct.<\/strong><\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nOne of Indian Country\u2019s most prominent environmental activists has been ordered to pay $750,000 to a former employee after being found liable for sexual harassment and retaliation in the workplace.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nFollowing a two-day trial in Minnesota, a jury last week returned the stunning verdict against Honor The Earth<\/a>. The non-profit organization — which was founded by activist and former U.S. vice presidential candidate Winona LaDuke<\/a>, a citizen of the White Earth Nation<\/a> — was found responsible for one count of sexual harassment and two counts of reprisal in a lawsuit filed by Margaret “Molly” Campbell, the former employee.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cBy clear and convincing evidence, did the Defendant act with deliberate disregard for\r\nthe rights or safety of others?\u201d the court asked of the jury with respect to the defendant Honor The Earth.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cYes,\u201d the jury concluded on March 30 in response to the sexual harassment count.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cBy clear and convincing evidence, did the Defendant act with deliberate disregard for\r\nthe rights or safety of others?\u201d the court asked in connection to the two counts of retaliation.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cYes,\u201d the jury again answered.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

Verdict: Margaret Campbell v. Honor The Earth [PDF<\/a>]<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\nMCRO_03-CV-19-266_Verdict_2023-03-30_20230403123936<\/a>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nAccording to six-page verdict<\/a>, Honor The Earth must pay $375,000 in compensatory and punitive damages to Campbell for subjecting the former employee to sexual harassment. Another $375,000 was awarded for the two counts of retaliation.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cSexual harassment remains a widespread problem that affects people of every background and in every type of workplace, including social change organizations,\u201d said Christy Hall, a senior staff attorney for Gender Justice<\/a>, which represented Campbell in the lawsuit against Honor The Earth.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n \u201cNo matter who we are or where we work, we all deserve a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment or abuse,\u201d Hall said in a statement<\/a> issued last Friday, a day after the verdict.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nLaDuke, however, was not in court for the reading of the verdict. Neither was Honor The Earth’s attorney, for that matter.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nAccording to an email filed in court<\/a> in the early evening last Thursday, attorney Frank Bibeau represented that LaDuke was attending a meeting on the White Earth Nation<\/a> and was unable to return in time to hear the verdict. The southern border of the reservation is about 15 minutes from the courthouse in Becker County\r\n

<\/p>\r\nBibeau, meanwhile, said he had “left town” following the conclusion of the trial on Thursday and was over an hour away from the courthouse in Detroit Lakes.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n“We are to read the verdict without Mr. Bibeau and Ms. LaDuke,” a court worker informed Judge Gretchen Thilmony, who handled a case that was filed<\/a> three years ago.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

Email: Margaret Campbell v. Honor The Earth [PDF<\/a>]<\/div>\r\n
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\r\nMCRO_03-CV-19-266_Correspondence_2023-03-30_20230403125547<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nBut on Friday, LaDuke issued a statement<\/a> acknowledging the verdict against her organization. However, she characterized the sexual harassment that has been proven in court as “accusations” involving a former employee who was part of her inner circle at Honor The Earth.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nShe also appeared to diminish the severity of the case by referring to a prior Minnesota Department of Human Rights<\/a> investigation that she said had gone in her organization’s favor. What the statement left out was that a person who brings a claim of discrimination to the state department can pursue private legal action “at any time”<\/a> by going to court.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n“As we move forward from the court\u2019s decision, we remain committed to resisting all forms of sexual harassment, violence and assault,” LaDuke said as she highlighted her organization’s “30 year history of courageous work” in environmental circles.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n “Honor The Earth is an organization predominantly led by Indigenous women and we will continue our organizational mission to raise awareness and offer support to develop needed financial and political resources for the survival of sustainable Indigenous communities,” LaDuke said<\/a>.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n

"….Honor the Earth is committed to the road ahead. We and our communities are resilient, we carry a 30 year history of courageous work and we will take these lessons in moving forward towards a just and sustainable future." Full statement here: https:\/\/t.co\/qEQdeJdDwW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/yDECHVtpTy<\/a><\/p>— Honor the Earth (@HonorTheEarth) April 1, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>