The Ȟesápa, also known as the Black Hills. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective.

Since time immemorial, our people have survived the winter elements not just because of sheer strength, but because of our collective power. This winter season, we’ve entered a new kind of storm, with a new administration that epitomizes the most destructive aspects of capitalism and colonialism. There are absolutely challenges ahead, and we are just as committed to doing the work, fulfilling our mission, and fighting for justice and equity for all people and Mother Earth.

In this month’s newsletter we share updates, good news, and milestones of our work to defend, develop, and decolonize. After 50 years of unjust incarceration and decades of advocacy, we celebrate the clemency of our elder Leonard Peltier. We also celebrate a victory for the Ȟesápa, as the Pactola Mineral Withdrawal was signed by former Secretary Deb Haaland, protecting 20,000 acres from mining in the Black Hills. 

We couldn’t have done this work without your support and the countless actions taken by generations of advocates, protectors, and defenders. As we enter this new and uncertain time, and as we continue to fulfill our mission, we do so standing in our collective power.

Indigenous Peoples Day March. October 2024. Photo by Angel White Eyes for NDN Collective.

To say we are in challenging times is an understatement. Just months ago, we began to brace ourselves for what was ahead. As we processed the election results, we shared a statement speaking to our community. What we said back then is still relevant today: 

“Our cultural teachings and stories speak of challenging days ahead where we have to gather strength to move forward together and ensure the future of our People, our lands, and our cherished lifeways.” – This is where many of us find ourselves today. 

Wizipan Little Elk Garriott, NDN Collective President. Photo by Angel White Eyes.

NDN Collective announced Wizipan Little Elk Garriott will serve as the organization’s new president. Founder Nick Tilsen will continue to serve as CEO. 

“The opportunity to continue to work on behalf of Indian country at NDN Collective is a blessing,” said Wizipan Little Elk Garriott, NDN Collective President. “I’m honored to join such an amazing team driving and connecting grassroots, on-the-ground work with national movements and policies.” 

Graphic Art by NDN Collective.

On January 20, 2025 President Biden announced the commutation of Leonard Peltier’s sentence allowing him to return home to finish his sentence. This victory comes after decades of advocacy by NDN Collective, the American Indian Movement and human rights organizations.

“Let Leonard’s freedom be a reminder that the entire so-called United States is built on the stolen lands of Indigenous people – and that Indigenous people have successfully resisted every attempt to oppress, silence, and colonize us,” said Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective Founder & CEO. “The commutation granted to Leonard Peltier is a symbol of our collective strength – and our resistance will never stop.”

LANDBACK Light Projection by the Protect the Ȟesápa campaign. June 2024. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective.

On December 26, 2024 former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed the Pactola Mineral Withdrawal, protecting 20,000 acres around the Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota. The victory comes from years of advocacy by local organizers, tribes, and communities to protect the primary source of drinking water for Rapid City. This blog deep dives into the effects of mining on land, specifically the Black Hills and overviews NDN Collective’s Protect the HeSapa campaign.

Graphic Design by NDN Collective.

We are thrilled to announce Blue Deer Grants, a new, invitation only, grantmaking program in partnership with NDN Collective and the Wild Seeds Fund. Blue Deer Grants fund the critical strategic communications work of Indigenous folks working to create a sense of place and belonging through their connection and practices with land for repair, healing and a climate just future.

NDN Collective and the Wild Seeds Fund are seeking additional funders to support this work. 

NDN Collective is honored to spotlight Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance, a 2024-2026 Community Self-Determination grant recipient.

The Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA), located in Pomo Territory (also known as Northern California), is a cross-cultural, multi-organizational collaborative dedicated to revitalizing ecology, economy, and culture through Indigenous-led stewardship. Focused on ecological healing, governance, and cultural practices, TERA emphasizes the reintroduction of Indigenous “Good Fire” as a critical tool, particularly in response to California’s annual wildfires.

Photo by Angel White Eyes for NDN Collective.

On this episode of LANDBACK FOR THE PEOPLE, Nick Tilsen invites Deenaalee Hodgdon, Co-Executive Director of Smokehouse Collective, Executive Producer of “On the Land” Podcast, and NDN Collective Radical Imagination artist, to discuss the subsistence lifeways of the Arctic through fishing and tracking salmon to feed and sustain their communities.

On this final episode of season 2, Nick Tilsen talks with Jason Sole to discuss what being an abolitionist means, the origins of FTP, how the LANDBACK movement and Black Liberation are required for our collective liberation, and that Black and Indigenous solidarity is a practice that we need to build within our movements. 

On this kickoff episode of Season 3 of LANDBACK For the People, host Nick Tilsen welcomes new leadership to NDN Collective, President Wizipan Little Elk, and for the first time, brings Vice President Gaby Strong to the show In this conversation, Nick— with a new title of NDN Collective Founder & CEO— talks Indigenous leadership with Wizipan and Gaby, what it means, and how they each came into the work of helping their communities, and moreover, their roles at the organization.

Press conference hosted at NDN HQ following former President Biden’s boarding school apology. Pictured seated at the front is Sunny Red Bear, Local Organizer, and Nick Tilsen, Founder and CEO. Photo by Angel White Eyes for NDN Collective.

Graphic Art by NDN Collective.

When you support Indigenous-led organizations, you’re not just donating— you’re investing in Mother Earth’s survival and justice for all. Your contributions are the foundation of our work, driving initiatives that empower Indigenous communities to lead, thrive, and define our futures on our own terms.