FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2025
Rapid City, SD – Nick Tilsen, Oglala Lakota, Founder & CEO of NDN Collective, is being brought to trial in Pennington County, South Dakota. On December 15, 2025, the judge – who had taken the case under advisement in August – decided to move forward with a trial, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Nick was initially charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and obstructing law enforcement. But today, January 12, Nick was notified that a Pennington County grand jury last week added simple assault on a law enforcement officer to the list of charges. NDN Collective believes this added charge, which is a felony that is easier to convict with, to be further evidence of political motivation and an abuse of power by the prosecutor’s office.
The charges brought against Nick stem from an incident in 2022 in downtown Rapid City, when he saw a police officer interacting with an unhoused relative. Concerned for the relative’s well-being, Nick stopped his car nearby to observe the situation and ensure he was safe. Rapid City police surrounded Nick’s vehicle, and eventually, an officer permitted Nick to leave without pressing charges. Despite Nick never making physical contact with a police officer in any way – and despite no immediate action being taken at the time – more than a year later, the officer involved accused Nick of attempting to run him over. This accusation led to a complaint and warrant for Tilsen’s arrest being filed on June 30, 2023 – the same day NDN Collective announced they would host a July 4th March Towards Justice in Rapid City.
NDN Collective believes this case to be a politically motivated effort to silence a movement leader by criminalizing his actions and misusing the legal system. If found guilty, he could face up to 26 years in prison.
A timeline outlining legal targeting of Nick Tilsen and NDN Collective can be found here.
“While we hoped the charges against Nick would be dropped, we have confidence the trial will finally prove his innocence,” said Wizipan Little Elk Garriott, NDN Collective President. “In the meantime, NDN Collective will continue our work to build Indigenous power and serve the Rapid City community and beyond.”
“The packed courtroom at the evidentiary hearing in August was an illustration of Nick’s impactful leadership in this community,” said Gaby Strong, NDN Collective Vice-President. “Nick’s steadfast dedication to justice for Indigenous people makes him a target of repressive systems – still, he will never stop fighting for a more just world, and we will stand with him as we continue the work.”
“The lengthy and convoluted nature of this case demonstrates how far those threatened by strong Indigenous leaders will go to try and silence us,” said Norma Rendon, elder and community leader. “We will not back down, and look forward to supporting Nick as he continues navigating the legal process.”
“Nick’s positive impact in Rapid City is unquestionable. I trust the trial will highlight the fact that Nick is always looking out for people and defending our rights,” said Bryan Brewer, founder of the Lakota Nation Invitational.
Support for the charges against Nick to be dropped is clear, with over 16,400 signatures on a petition to the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s office.
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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.
