Civil Rights

On November 18, 2022, and after nearly two and a half years of an uphill legal battle, all charges against NDN Collective president and CEO Nick Tilsen related to a nonviolent direct protest in the Black Hills taking place on July 3, 2020, were finally dismissed by the state of South Dakota. Nick faced up to 17 years in prison after allegedly organizing a blockade and #LANDBACK protest in his… Source Source: Full Article: Doubling Down for LANDBACK: Q & A with Nick Tilsen After 2.5 Year Legal Battle Comes to an End

Rapid City, SD – Today, NDN Collective announced awardees of the 2022 Community Action Fund. The fund’s intention is to move money into the movement space to help further Indigenous Peoples’ agendas as it relates to the defense, development, and decolonization of our Peoples and Mother Earth. This fund provides urgent response resources to frontline movements and community organizers working to… Source Source: Full Article: NDN Collective Announces Community Action Fund Grant Partners

Rapid City, SD – Today, NDN Collective shared the program intention around the upcoming Collective Abundance Fund, a grant opportunity through which NDN Collective will distribute nearly $50 million over a five-year period to Native individuals and families across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The overall purpose of the Collective Abundance Fund is to address the Indigenous wealth gap… Source Source: Full Article: NDN Collective Shares Program Intention of Collective Abundance Fund Ahead of Official Launch

Rapid City – Today, NDN Collective announced that after nearly two and a half years of legal battles, all charges against NDN Collective president and CEO Nick Tilsen have been dismissed by the state of South Dakota. “My case held a mirror up to the so-called legal system, where prosecutors – fueled by white fragility and fear of Indigenous power – wasted years of state resources to intimidate… Source Source: Full Article: All Charges Dismissed Against Nick Tilsen in 2.5 Year Long Case

Rapid City, SD – Today, NDN Collective announced recipients of the Community Self-Determination Grant, an unprecedented grant opportunity which will support and invest in the long-term visions, priorities, and power building of Indigenous Nations, communities, and Peoples. The 65 recipients, who will receive grants of up to $100,000 annually for up to two years, are Indigenous-led organizations… Source Source: Full Article: NDN Collective Announces 2022 Community Self-Determination Grantees

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – On Thursday, November 10th at COP27, NDN Collective hosted a meeting between Ali Zaidi, the White House National Climate Advisor, and frontline Indigenous and Black organizers. The group discussed the Inflation Reduction Act in depth, outlining the need for infrastructure that ensures Indigenous individuals and communities receive the IRA’s benefits in addition to tribal… Source Source: Full Article: COP27: NDN Collective Meets with White House Climate Advisor

On Wednesday, November 9, NDN Collective joined Indigenous advocates and allies outside of the Supreme Court as oral arguments in the federal lawsuit, Brackeen v. Haaland (2021) began. Known as the “Brackeen case,” Brackeen v. Haaland is challenging the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), an act passed in 1978 to ensure that Native American children are kept with Native… Source Source: Full Article: VIDEO: NDN Collective Streams ICWA Rally on Steps of U.S. Supreme Court as Brackeen v. Haaland Oral Arguments are Heard