Justice for Clarence Leading Fighter
An eye witness tells us that when a Nebraska sheriff's deputy shot and killed Clarence Leading Fighter in the doorway of a Catholic Church, he was already incapacitated. We want a federal investigation.
Justice for the Lakota People
We partner with the Lakota to help renew Indigenous culture and secure Native autonomy and self-determination.
Ongoing Campaigns
Dedicated to reversing the slow genocide of the Lakota People and destruction of their culture, the Lakota People’s Law Project partners with Native communities to protect sacred lands, safeguard human rights, promote sustainability, reunite indigenous families, and much more.
Preventing Pipelines
Preventing Pipelines
The coming of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines have fulfilled the Lakota prophecy of a terrible black snake meant to bring harm to the people of Turtle Island. Our organizers stand on the front lines every day to protect the sacred systems of Unci Maka—our Grandmother Earth.
Providing Flood Relief
Providing Flood Relief
In March and April, Winter Storms Ulmer and Wesley ripped through the American Midwest, flooding the Pine Ridge Reservation and displacing thousands of tribal members. We're working with Oglala Sioux Tribe President Julian Bear Runner to provide essential relief to the Oglala Lakota Nation.
Greening Standing Rock
Greening Standing Rock
We’re working on promoting energy independence on Standing Rock and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Through our efforts to #GreenTheRez, we aim to provide a renewable energy blueprint for other tribal nations to follow.Long-Term Partners
For over a decade we’ve been standing strong with the Lakota to end the long history of treaty violations and systemic corruption that has resulted in the loss of their most sacred lands and the epidemic of children being removed from their families and traditions.
Justice for Clarence Leading Fighter
On Apr. 14, a 32-year old Lakota man named Clarence Leading Fighter was shot twice and killed by a Rushville, Nebraska sheriff’s deputy in the doorway of a Catholic Church. Now, an eye witness has disputed police accounts of the shooting, saying that Leading Fighter was already incapacitated when he was shot. Sign onto our action demanding a federal investigation.
OST Tells Governor Noem She's Not Welcome at Pine Ridge
The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council votes to tell South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem she's not welcome at the Pine Ridge Reservation. Her support of "riot boosting" laws unfairly target tribes and their allies who oppose new oil infrastructure on treaty lands.
Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien Covers Pine Ridge Flooding
On Matter of Fact, Soledad O'Brien covers the effects of flooding on two Pine Ridge families in the aftermath of Winter Storms Ulmer and Wesley.
Tell Congress to Stop KXL
Tell the House Environmental Oversight Committee to investigate Trump's continued fast-tracking of pipelines through Indian Country. Your voice can stop the desecration of sacred land and water!
Essential Flood Relief Needs on Pine Ridge
Skilled labor and essential items are still needed in the wake of floods at the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Flood Relief for the Oglala Lakota Nation
Your generosity and support can aid the Oglala Sioux Tribe in recovery efforts after Winter Storm Ulmer.
Talking Circles Explore Ways to Fix the Native Incarceration Epidemic
Native Sun News covered our Day of Empathy talking circles to discuss and find solutions to the Native incarceration epidemic.
Support Criminal Justice Reform for Native People
Email your elected officials and tell them to support legislation to change a criminal justice system that unfairly targets Native Americans.
Santa Cruz Screening of Warrior Women
The Lakota People's Law Project proudly presents a Santa Cruz screening of the award-winning documentary, Warrior Women, with special guest Madonna Thunder Hawk on Mar. 15 at the Resource Center for Nonviolence.
LPLP Legal Team: Suit Against WaPo is an Attack on the First Amendment
On Jan. 19, a Kentucky law firm files suit against The Washington Post for defamation of Nick Sandmann in its coverage of the events at the Lincoln Memorial. LPLP's legal team breaks down this vicious attack on the First Amendment.
People Magazine Covers LPLP's Rebuttal to Flawed Investigation
People Magazine covers LPLP's response when a flawed 'independent investigative report" commissioned by lawyers for the Covington Diocese and Covington Catholic High School hits the news cycle.
LPLP and Nathan Phillips Respond to Flawed Investigative Report
The report seeks to minimize student culpability ahead of a lawsuit filing against the Washington Post. It fails to tell the whole story.
AJ+ Nathan Phillips Video
Watch the touching video from AJ+, in which Omaha elder Nathan Phillips' lucidity and eloquence about his experience are on full display.
Join Indigenous Leaders in Supporting a Green New Deal
Send a letter to your elected officials calling on their support for a robust Green New Deal with a strong Indigenous focus.
Standing Rock The Vote!
Chase Iron Eyes talks about the state's effort to disenfranchise Native voters in North Dakota.
Sign the Petition to #GreenTheRez
Your voice supports energy independence for Standing Rock and sustainable solutions that can make the Dakotas greener and cleaner. Statewide renewable standards and incentives for green projects can move the Dakotas, which still rely on coal for 70 percent of their energy, away from dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable energy can deliver reasonable rates and local tribal control over the power supply to Standing Rock.
Protect Water, Take the #NestlePledge
Nestle, the world's largest food and beverage company, hoards water from sensitive ecosystems and makes billions in profit as disaster capitalists. Take our #NestlePledge and join the movement to #BoycottNestle and ALL its products. Signify to Nestle that #WaterIsLife. You can learn more about the history of Nestle’s unethical and predatory business practices here.
Federal Judge Rules Environmental Review of DAPL Insufficient
#DropDAPLCharges for Water Protectors
Leaked documents reveal that a private security firm hired by DAPL parent company Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) targeted, surveilled, and provoked the peaceful and prayerful water protectors at Standing Rock. Sign the petition asking North Dakota to drop all charges against the peaceful and prayerful water protectors of Standing Rock.
Pipeline Battle Shifts to Courts
After militarized police raid the newly-established Last Child Camp and arrest Chase Iron Eyes, LPLP Chief Counsel Daniel Sheehan steps in to organize Chase's defense. LPLP also provides litigation support to several tribes’ fights in Washington, D.C. against DAPL.
#NoDAPL Fight Begins
In the spring, members of the LPLP team — including lead counsel Chase Iron Eyes and tribal liaison Madonna Thunder Hawk — become involved in resistance camps on 1851 Oceti Sakowin Treaty land formed to stop the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL). LPLP provides media support on the ground and begins circulating petitions in opposition to DAPL, which violates Lakota treaty rights and threatens Standing Rock‘s water supply.
“Native Lives Matter”: LPLP Work Expands
A Solution is Proposed
Lakota People's Law Project is Formed
"South Dakota is still trafficking our children, Lakota children, Indian children, and they get millions of federal dollars every year for their so-called 'child welfare services.'"