Graphic Art by NDN Collective.

At NDN Collective, the fall equinox signals a time of reflection and planning for the year ahead. In the past month, we’ve been hard at work throughout Turtle Island while advancing the mission of our organization to build Indigenous power. 

In this newsletter, we share updates on our campaigns, local and national events, and as always, we provide ways for you to support our work and take action. We also invite you to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day (IPD) with us in Rapid City on Monday, October 14. For those who are unable to make it, the whole event will be live-streamed on NDN Collective’s Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts.

Every day is a good day to be Indigenous, but on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we take special pride in the legacy of movement building which truly is the foundation of this powerful day. We remember all of our predecessors who fought to abolish Columbus Day, as well as our contemporary comrades and allies who continue to unapologetically dismantle and confront colonialism.

(L to R) Sunny Red Bear, Director of Organizing; Nick Tilsen, CEO & President; and Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Director of Strategic Partnerships at NDN Collective host a Press Conference at NDN Collective Headquarters following the announcement. Photo by Angel White Eyes, Photo Editor for NDN Collective.

On Saturday, September 7 the Retsel Corporation, owners of the Grand Gateway Hotel, filed for bankruptcy just before the start of the federal civil rights trial brought by NDN Collective scheduled to begin Monday. NDN Collective filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in 2022 against the Grand Gateway Hotel after it denied service to Native Americans because of their race. 

The Retsel Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows the business to remain open as it reorganizes its debts. Under this filing, all other litigation must pause until the business settles in bankruptcy court and that timeline is still to be determined. As a result, the civil rights lawsuit against the Grand Gateway is on hold.

An Indigenous woman raises an “Indians Allowed” sign in the march from Roosevelt Park to the Grand Gateway Hotel. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective. March 26, 2022.

In September, the Grand Gateway Hotel owners filed for bankruptcy just days before the start of a federal civil rights trial against them was set to begin. As justice has been delayed and although this fight is not over, NDN Collective reflects on the culture of racism in Rapid City, SD that perpetuates harm on Indigenous people. 

Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, NDN Collective Director of Strategic Partnerships, writes of the history and impact racism has on her community and her hopes for the future of Rapid City.

Main sitting room at NDN Collective Headquarters in Rapid City, SD. Photo by Angel White Eyes, Photo Editor for NDN Collective.

Join us for the 2nd Annual Indigenous People’s Day celebration in Downtown Rapid City, South Dakota! ✊🏽🪶🎉

Come and celebrate the beauty and talents of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. Surround yourself with award-winning Indigenous singers, listen to inspiring poetry from artistic speakers, support local Indigenous businesses and food vendors, tipi demonstration, and more.

Nā Waʻa Mauō Marine Stewardship Program is a 2021-2022 Community Self Determination grantee partner. Nā Wa‘a Mauō means “the canoes that sustain us” in Hawaiian.  The Nā Wa‘a Mauō Marine Stewardship Program uses wa‘a (outrigger canoes) as vehicles to care for the oceans. The mission of Nā Wa‘a Mauō is to carry on the practices of the Kūpuna (ancestors) by using Indigenous tools and language to care for the oceans. This work is done with a vision of ‘āina momona (fruitful and productive lands) through Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawaiian) stewardship. 

Hōkūokahalelani Pihana, Executive Director of the Nā Wa‘a Mauō Marine Stewardship Program, shared that the strongest outcome of this work has been seeing the self-love that has emerged from the youth as they have engaged with the program.  In caring for the oceans and canoes, in deepening the practice of ancestral values and techniques, they have been caring for themselves, and building their strength as valued, purposeful caretakers. The program has given them an opportunity to share their knowledge with their communities and Island peoples across the Pacific during their cultural exchanges, including the latest exchange with the Taiwanese canoe community, building their confidence and strength as future leaders.  

NDN Collective recognize their vital role in the building of a decolonized and powerful Indigenous future. 

• Visit their Website: www.nawaamauo.com 
• Make a Donation: https://ndnco.cc/nwmdonate
• Follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nawaamauo
• Follow them on Instagram: @nawaamauo

L to R: Nick Tilsen, President & CEO; Sunny Red Bear, Associate Director of Organizing; and Eva Cardenas, Director of Organizing for NDN Collective discuss the topic of systemic racism in episode 3 of LANDBACK For the People. Photo by Angel White Eyes, NDN Collective Photo Editor.

In Season 2 Episode 3: The NDNs are coming! … to Hold Racism Accountable, Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective President and CEO talks about the racism towards Indigenous Peoples on their homelands and how systemic racism is a problematic cause of economic injustice for our Indigenous relatives across Turtle Island.

It’s a daily hardship, “Whether it’s in Gallup or in Rapid City. The story is the same.” Nick Tilsen said. Our ‘Rapid City vs. Racism’ campaign is our effort to dismantle systemic racism on our homelands in Rapid City, which includes the civil rights lawsuit against the Grand Gateway Hotel.

Featured guests include Sunny Red Bear, Associate Director of Organizing, and Eva Cardenas, Director of Organizing.

Image courtesy of NDN Collective.

NDN Collective President and CEO, Nick Tilsen joins Amy Goodman at Democracy Now to discuss more about the call to Free Leonard Peltier. Nick is also joined by two members of Leonard’s legal team, Jenipher Jones and Moira Meltzer-Cohen.

Lorenzo Serna, Director of NDN Tactical Media Team, operates the camera as another episode of NDN Live commences. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective.

Photo by Angel White Eyes, NDN Collective Photo Editor.

NDN was LIVE for our press conference with important updates on the Grand Gateway trial, hosted at the NDN Collective Headquarters. Speakers included NDN Collective leadership: Sunny Red Bear (Associate Director of Organizing), Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle (Director of Strategic Partnerships), and Nick Tilsen (President and CEO).

Lorenzo Serna, Director of Tactical Media, joined Eva Cardenas, Director of Organizing, and Janene Yazzie, Director of Policy & Advocacy for an NDN Live as we take our fight for Indigenous rights to the heart of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway lands–also known as Washington, DC.

Lorenzo Serna, Director of Tactical Media, joins Anissa Martin, Local Rapid City Organizer, and Hermus Bettelyoun, Local Rapid City Organizer, and Nick Tilsen, President and CEO, for an NDN Live where they discuss their presence talking to elected officials at this years Impact Days taking place the heart of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway lands–also known as Washington, DC.

Relatives and supporters rally in front of the Federal Building in Rapid City, SD to show support for Leonard’s freedom on June 27. Photo by Angel White Eyes for NDN Collective.

Leonard’s parole was denied. Help keep Leonard’s spirits up by sending a letter to him today using the link below.

Text RAPIDVRACISM to 50302 for updates on upcoming events to hold racist people and systems accountable in Rapid City, South Dakota.