{"id":63094,"date":"2026-01-13T00:24:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T00:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ndncollective.org\/?p=63094"},"modified":"2026-01-13T00:24:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T00:24:54","slug":"judge-moves-nick-tilsens-case-to-trial-for-january-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ndncollective.org\/judge-moves-nick-tilsens-case-to-trial-for-january-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge Moves Nick Tilsen\u2019s Case to Trial for January 26","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rapid City, SD \u2013<\/strong> Nick Tilsen, Oglala Lakota, Founder & CEO of NDN Collective<\/a>, is being brought to trial in Pennington County, South Dakota. On December 15, 2025<\/strong>, the judge \u2013 who had taken the case under advisement in August \u2013 decided to move forward with a trial, which is scheduled to begin on Monday,<\/strong> January 26, 2026. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong> 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\u2019s office.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s well-being, Nick stopped his car nearby to observe the situation and ensure he was safe. Rapid City police surrounded Nick\u2019s 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 \u2013 and despite no immediate action being taken at the time \u2013 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\u2019s arrest being filed on June 30, 2023 \u2013 the same day NDN Collective announced they would host a July 4th March Towards Justice in Rapid City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A timeline outlining legal targeting of Nick Tilsen and NDN Collective can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile we hoped the charges against Nick would be dropped, we have confidence the trial will finally prove his innocence,\u201d said Wizipan Little Elk Garriott, NDN Collective President. <\/strong>\u201cIn the meantime, NDN Collective will continue our work to build Indigenous power and serve the Rapid City community and beyond.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe packed courtroom at the evidentiary hearing in August was an illustration of Nick\u2019s impactful leadership in this community,\u201d said<\/strong> Gaby Strong, NDN Collective Vice-President. <\/strong>\u201cNick\u2019s steadfast dedication to justice for Indigenous people makes him a target of repressive systems \u2013 still, he will never stop fighting for a more just world, and we will stand with him as we continue the work.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe lengthy and convoluted nature of this case demonstrates how far those threatened by strong Indigenous leaders will go to try and silence us,\u201d said Norma Rendon, elder and community leader. <\/strong>\u201cWe will not back down, and look forward to supporting Nick as he continues navigating the legal process.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNick\u2019s 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,\u201d said Bryan Brewer, founder of the Lakota Nation Invitational.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Support for the charges against Nick to be dropped is clear, with over 16,400<\/a> signatures on a petition to the Pennington County State\u2019s Attorney\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

###<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDN Collective<\/em><\/a> 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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW CONTACT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

cabot@ndncollective.org<\/h3>\n\n\n\n