FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
Rapid City, SD – Today, on day one of a two-day evidentiary hearing involving NDN Collective founder and CEO Nick Tilsen, the court heard from Nick’s defense team regarding procedural issues and from two witnesses regarding Nick’s motion to dismiss the charges. The court will hear from additional witnesses tomorrow.
A full timeline of legal targeting against Nick Tilsen and NDN Collective can be found here.
“Nick’s leadership has been vital to building a better Rapid City,” said Bryan Brewer, former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. “The politically motivated charges filed against Nick are an attempt to reverse progress made by and for the Native community. Today was an important opportunity to show Nick did no wrong – and I was honored to show up to support him.”
“Nick comes from a long line of ancestors who fought for justice,” said Joci Tilsen, Nick’s aunt. “Nick is supported by his loving family and by his community who wants his work to continue. Those in power are trying to stop Nick’s work to empower Native people in Rapid City and beyond because they’re afraid of change. Everyone who cares about free speech and fairness should demand the charges against Nick get dropped.”
“Nick speaks up for those historically silenced and made to feel they have no rights and no voice!” said Norma Rendon, elder and community leader. “Nick’s only weapons are his intelligence and fortitude to never give up, as his ancestors guide him to provide and to protect the People. The charges brought against Nick are falsified to criminalize and silence him.
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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.