Why is Our Colleague Facing 17 years in Prison for Protesting?

Eighth Generation is a proud partner of NDN Collective and their CEO Nick Tilsen, a highly respected community leader and advocate for Indigenous rights. This is why we are outraged that our colleague and ally is facing 17 years in jail for "trumped up" charges.

Nick Tilsen speaks to press at the NDN Collective headquarters in Rapid City. Photo taken by Arlo Iron Cloud from NDN Collective blog, "Nick Tilsen Statement Upon Release from Arrest: 'We have to Act in Courage and in Bravery.'"

On July 3rd, Tilsen was among 200 Indigenous Land Defenders present at the sacred Black Hills when President Trump spoke in front of the iconic Mt. Rushmore. The indigenous presence carried a strong message for those of us watching from a far: President Trump is unwelcome in the sacred Black Hills - from which the faces of 4 Presidents were cut and blasted - and that to most Indigenous people, those faces are often more symbolic of looting and oppression than of liberty.

Land Defenders in the Black Hills on July 3, 2020. Photo taken by Willi White from NDN Collective blog, "Nick Tilsen Statement Upon Release from Arrest: 'We have to Act in Courage and in Bravery.'"

A few meters away, these ideas were validated when law enforcement met the indigenous Land Defenders with force (read more here). Twenty Land Defenders, including Tilsen, were rounded up and charged with misdemeanors and felonies. Tilsen is facing 17 years of prison for charges that include second-degree robbery, second count of simple assault and grand theft (read more here).

Tilsen states in his opinion piece from Newsweek, "To us, it is simple: We want our land back, and we want to dismantle the system of white supremacy and racism that was created to steal our lands in the first place."

Land Defenders in the Black Hills on July 3, 2020. Photo taken by Willi White from NDN Collective blog, "Nick Tilsen Statement Upon Release from Arrest: 'We have to Act in Courage and in Bravery.'"

To help, sign the petitions below to demand change.

• Drop the charges against NDN Collective President & CEO Nick Tilsen
• Drop the charges against the Black Hills Land Defenders
• Petition to close Mt. Rushmore and Return All Public Lands in the Black Hills to the Oceti Sakowin