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The Journey to Justice

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Standing Rock changed the world

Our team supported the movement to safeguard the sacred, providing logistics, media support, and legal expertise to water protectors.
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Posted: February 16, 2017

Dakota Access pipeline continues America’s oldest narrative: Cowboys vs. Indians

The Hill: op-ed by Chase Iron Eyes

On Dec. 3, 1875, the US Army ordered my Lakota ancestors back to the reservation, including Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and others who were out hunting at the time. The full might of the US military would subdue all those who did not comply. More than 140 years later, the Army Corps of Engineers issued a similar directive, in effect right now.

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Greta and Tokata lead anti-KXL rally

Oct. 7, 2019, Rapid City, SD — After visiting Pine Ridge, Greta Thurnberg and Tokata Iron Eyes organize a rally in Rapid City to oppose KXL.
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Posted: July 09, 2020

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Affirms Native American Rights in Oklahoma

The New York Times

Madonna Thunder Hawk, an organizer with the Lakota People’s Law Project, said the court’s decision and a recent federal ruling that ordered the shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota had been cause for celebration. Just not too much.

“It’s a war for us,” she said. “There are some victories, but the war continues.”

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Chase protests to return the Black Hills

July 3, 2020: Chase Iron Eyes faces a line of National Guard members during a protest against Trump’s visit to Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota.
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Posted: October 31, 2018

Thousands of Native Voters Getting Free IDs

The Associated Press

We're at our best in crisis," said Phyllis Young, an organizer on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation for the Lakota People's Law Project, adding that the issue "is only making us more aware of our rights, more energized, and more likely to vote this November."

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AOC joins Lakota Law and tribes in opposing KXL

May 16, 2019, Washington, D.C. — LPLP and Oglala Nation leaders meet with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez about the power of protest and stopping KXL.
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Posted: October 25, 2011

Native Foster Care: Lost Children, Shattered Families

National Public Radio

These are all the different people who had their kids taken away from their entire families," explains Sheehan, who works for the Lakota People's Law Project. "Not one of them has had their children left with a relative of any kind."

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Victory over KXL!

Jan. 20, 2020 — After you put the pressure on, President Joe Biden keeps his campaign promise to revoke KXL's permit on his first day in office.
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Prosecutors drop all serious charges against Iron Eyes

LPLP's threat to expose collusion among oil companies, government, and militarized police results in a huge victory when ND court drops charges against Chase Iron Eyes.
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Posted: May 07, 2020

COVID-19 and the climate crisis are intertwined threats to Native Americans and the Earth.

Environmental Health News: by Chase Iron Eyes

Within the past few weeks, Indigenous communities in the U.S. achieved a pair of substantial victories regarding pipelines. First, legal action by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe compelled a Federal judge in Washington, D.C., to revoke permits for the Dakota Access pipeline. Then another federal judge in Montana ruled that the environmental impact review process for the KCL pipeline was flawed and he halted its construction through domestic waterways.

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Judge shuts down DAPL

July 6, 2020: After Lakota Law legal team submits an amicus curiae brief, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg rules that DAPL must discontinue operations.
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Walk With Us

Become a Lakota Law member and provide sustaining support to the movement for Native justice.

Our Impact

16
years

the Lakota People's Law Project has worked to win justice with the Lakota

50,000+
people

emailed ND State's Attorney to demand he drop charges against all water protectors

23,000
supporters

emailed SD Gov. Kristi Noem to protect tribal COVID-19 checkpoints

$2.3M
in FEMA grants

secured for Oglala Nation flood relief

3,500
hours

of free technical assistance to Lakota families challenging ICWA violations

16
children

cared for in Lakota Law's Native-run foster care home on Standing Rock in 2020

Clear Impact for Real People

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Thank you, Lakota People's Law Project, for assisting us in being a part of history, helping us get out the Native vote in 2020. So many times, we feel like the kid looking into the window from outside — feeling like what happens in this country has nothing to do with us. Thank you, my friends, for allowing us to participate.

Janet Thomas, former executive director of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

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The leaders of all the Lakota tribes and I are deeply grateful to the Lakota People's Law Project for fighting on behalf of our nation. This is a pivotal moment in the history of Native American people. We thank you for standing with us.

Chief Joseph Brings Plenty, former Cheyenne River Tribal Chairman

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Know that you have so many people who are beside you and stand behind you in this fight.

Greta Thunberg speaking at the Pine Ridge Reservation

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I look forward to continuing to work with the Lakota People’s Law Project to ensure that the voices of Native voters are heard.

U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.)

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I would like to thank the Lakota People's Law Project for giving us hope and helping us to make a stand for our rights and for the rights of our generations. LPLP is our voice, and provides direction on what we need to do to fight for our children and grandchildren.

Eileen Chasing Horse of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe

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I want to thank the Lakota People’s Law Project for stepping up on the important venture of partnering with Standing Rock to support Native voting rights.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Mike Faith

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As LGBTQ/2Spirit activists from Pine Ridge, we deeply appreciate the partnership of the Lakota People's Law Project in recent years. They have stood by us and helped us reach many people about the dramatic, positive shift taking place in attitudes towards Native Two Spirit LGBTQ's communities.

Monique "Muffie" Mousseau and Felipa De Leon, Oglala Sioux LGBTQ2S Activists

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I really want to thank the Lakota People’s Law Project for coming into my community and helping.

Avis Little Eagle, Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council