"Shilpi Chhotray sits down with #NickTilsen—Oglala Lakota land defender and CEO of #NDNCollective—to unpack the meaning of #LandBack, the historic fight for the Black Hills, the release of political prisoner Leonard Peltier, and the deep ties between #IndigenousStruggles and #PalestinianResistance."
https://www.thenation.com/podcast/environment/peoplesclimate-10112025/
#Indigenous #NativeAmericans #LandDefenders #decolonialStruggles #environmentalJustice #climateJustice #USpol
' "GIIWE: Bringing #LeonardPeltier Home" is a #film that underscores the importance of generations of organizing, #activism, philanthropy, power building, and narrative change in the effort to bring Leonard home—not only on his terms but also for all #Indigenous people who are fighting similar battles against the system...' - #NDNCollective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzA3i4JgASg
#LeonardPeltierFree #NativeAmericans #politicalPrisoners #USpol #cinema #courtMétrage @film
In other news...
Meet the 2024-2026 #NDN #Changemakers
By Jordynn Paz • March 5, 2025
"In October, NDN Collective announced the recipients of the 2024/26 Changemaker Fellowship, a cohort of 21 #Indigenous leaders from throughout #TurtleIsland, Islands of #Hawaii, #Borikén / #PuertoRico, the U.S. territories of American #Samoa, #Guam, the Northern #Mariana Islands, and the U.S. #VirginIslands. These incredible fellows are transforming their communities, defending Indigenous lands and waters, developing solutions for #regenerative and #sustainable futures, and revitalizing #IndigenousLanguages, #governance, #ceremonies and ways of being.
"We are honored to support the important and necessary work of each of these changemakers through this two-year fellowship program. With the NDN Changemaker Fellowship, individuals will focus on education, skill building, networking, community building, theory of change mapping, and mentorship."
Read more:
https://ndncollective.org/meet-the-2024-26-ndn-changemakers/
#TraditionalKnowledge #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #SocialJustice #IndigenousHealth #IndigenousWellBeing #FoodSecurity #Decolonize #ProtectMotherEarth #LanguagePreservation #CulturePreservation #NDNCollective #IndigenousPeoplesDay
Leonard Peltiers Rede anlässlich seiner Heimkehr nach Belcourt, North Dakota
Nach fast 50 Jahren hinter Gittern kehrte der indigene politische Gefangene Leonard Peltier Mitte der Woche nach Hause zurück. Indigene Aktivisten von #NDNCollective, einer von Indigenen geführte Organisation, die sich dem Aufbau indigener Macht verschrieben hat und Bewohner:Innen von #Belcourt, #NorthDakota, versammelten sich, um seine #Freiheit zu feiern, nachdem er jahrzehntelang #Ungerechtigkeit ertragen hatte.
#Antirassismus #PoliticalPrisoners #FreeThemAll #LeonardPeltier
#NDNCollective to Host Welcome Home Event for #LeonardPeltier
Livestreamed from earlier today, February 19, 2025
Belcourt, ND – "To welcome Leonard Peltier back to his homelands after 49 years of wrongful incarceration, NDN Collective will host a celebratory event and community feed at the Sky Dancer Event Center in Belcourt, North Dakota on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
"Peltier was granted executive clemency and had the remainder of his sentence commuted by President Biden on January 20th of this year. He will be released from prison the day before the event.
NDN Collective and partners built upon five decades of advocacy and played a significant role in securing Peltier’s release. The organization and community leaders have been overseeing the process of bringing Peltier home to the Turtle Mountain community. This Welcome Home event will provide an opportunity for Peltier to reconnect with his home community and begin the journey of adjusting back into life among his people."
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/live/t_ve1WrKY6k?si=DA9lTR8ukYi2j3en
#LeonardPeltierIsFree #LandBack
"[T]o us, it’s an acknowledgment. It’s an acknowledgment that what they did to #LeonardPeltier was wrong, what they did to #Indigenous people was wrong. And at that time in history, when Leonard and the #AmericanIndianMovement were rising up, they were rising up at a time in which our ceremonies were outlawed, our languages were outlawed." - Nick Tilsen of #NDNCollective
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/19/leonard_peltier_release_return_home
#LeonardPeltierFree #NativeAmericans #AIM #PoliticalPrisoners #USpol #USpolitics
Bill to increase #LithiumMining regulations killed in [#SouthDakota] state House
By Amelia Schafer Feb 14, 2025
"A new bill to increase regulations on lithium mining in South Dakota failed to make it out of the state House on Thursday.
"House Bill 1258, proposed by Rep. Nichole Uhre-Balk, D-Rapid City, would have placed lithium mining under the same regulations as gold and silver rather than its current sand and gravel standards.
"Hard rock mining (gold and silver) is subject to stricter #WaterPollution control regulations than sand and gravel mining.
"Organizations like #MidwestLithium are currently exploring mining operations in the hills. Most lithium in the hills is found around the #HarneyPeak Granite formation, according to the organization's webpage.
"The South Dakota lithium project is comprised of roughly 23,500 acres of both #federal and private Land.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee first split 6-6 on a do-pass motion Thursday before voting 8-4 to send the bill to the 41st day, killing it.
"''I think the general consensus is that the issue needs to be addressed, and so we'll continue to look harder at that, make sure we get all of our any concerns addressed and try to bring that bill back next year,' Uhre-Balk told the crowd at Saturday's crackerbarrel event hosted by Elevate Rapid City.
"Organizations like the local Indigenous led nonprofit #NDNCollective and the #BlackHillsCleanWaterAssociation spoke out in support of the bill Wednesday, stating that increased lithium mining threatens clean water for Black Hills residents especially since its treated like sand or gravel mining.
"Critics of the bill, such as Mike Lees, program administrator for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Minerals Mining Program, said current regulations are sufficient. At the crackerbarrel, Rep. Tim Goodwin, R-Rapid City, said the bill, 'was going to choke off mining. It was bureaucratic.'
"Uhre-Balk said the bill wouldn't stop mining.
"House Agriculture committee members cited a need to better understand the issue when voting to send it to the 41st day.
"The #SouthDakotaMineralIndustriesOrganization was not immediately available for comment."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/Gqvb8
#ProtectTheBlackHills #ProtectTheSacred #DefendTheSacred #NoMiningWithoutConsent #EnvironmentalRacism #DrillBabyDrill #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #LeaveItInTheGround #CorporateColonialism #USPol #NoLithiumMining #DefendMotherEarth
[Thread] Unfortunately, South Dakota #HB1258 was defeated [which would have put more restrictions on #LithiumMining]... And I knew Burgum would betray #NativeAmericans (even though he promised not to).
‘Unleashing American Energy’: Mining and Drilling Accelerated Under Trump Administration
By Angelica (Angie) Solloa • February 12, 2025
"You may have heard that #DebHaaland (Laguna Pueblo) transitioned out of her role as the US Secretary of the Department of Interior and announced her candidacy for Governor New Mexico. Her successor, former North Dakota Governor #DougBurgum, is steadfast in carrying out Trump’s Executive Order 14154 '#UnleashingAmericanEnergy' which aims to accelerate #mining and drilling on federal and #TribalLands.
"On February 3rd, Doug Burgum released this document which outlines all the revoked projects and programs intended to protect land and the people; giving a pathway for #MiningCompanies to hit the ground running across Turtle Island.
"In the #BlackHills, the #SacredLands of the #Lakota Peoples’, mining and drilling companies aren’t hesitating to cash out. Currently, South Dakota House Bill 1258 is under consideration by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, where it will come to a vote this Thursday, February 13th. Community members and citizens of the area were given just six days’ notice.
WHAT IS HB 1258?
"The passage of South Dakota House Bill 1258 would hold lithium mining to the same standards and laws as silver and gold. Under the current law, lithium mining is treated like mining for sand and gravel, and there are not enough protections for human #health, #food systems, #water, #wildlife, and the #land.
"HB 1258 would offer more accountability and appropriate processes for mining companies that would better protect the land, the people, and the economy of the #Ȟesápa. #NDNCollective, alongside partner the #BlackHillsCleanWaterAlliance, collaborated to spread the word as fast as possible, calling on relatives to swiftly take action ahead of Thursday, February 13th."
Read more:
https://ndncollective.org/unleashing-american-energy-mining-and-drilling-accelerated-under-trump-administration/
#ProtectTheBlackHills #ProtectTheSacred #DefendTheSacred #NoMiningWithoutConsent #EnvironmentalRacism #DrillBabyDrill #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #LeaveItInTheGround #CorporateColonialism #USPol #NoLithiumMining #DefendMotherEarth
I haven't seen a website for this event yet, but it's been an annual event for years!
#4DirectionsMarch
February 27, 2025
Wounded Knee, South Dakota
AIM Liberation of Wounded Knee 1973
North Direction: 9am Porcupine Post Office
East Direction: 9am 2 miles back on Mouse Creek
South Direction: 9am 18 Junction & Big Foot Trail
West Direction: 9am Manderson Post Office
AIM Liberation Celebration and Honorings 2pm
Wounded Knee District School, Manderson, South Dakota
#LeonardPeltier #WarriorWomen
#WoundedKnee #NDNCollective #IndigenousProtectorMovement #WaterProtectors #DefendTheSacred #ProtectTheSacred
"This morning, #LeonardPeltier was released from over 49 years of wrongful incarceration. Mr. Peltier is an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and will reside on his tribal homelands in North Dakota."
communiqué from #NDNCollective
https://ndncollective.org/leonard-peltier-released-from-49-years-of-wrongful-incarceration/
#Indigenous #LeonardPeltierFree #NativeAmericans #politicalPrisoners #USpol #USpolitics
To welcome Leonard Peltier back to his homelands after 49 years of wrongful incarceration, NDN Collective will host a celebratory event and community feed at the Sky Dancer Event Center in Belcourt, North Dakota on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 12pm CST. The event will also be live-streamed on NDN Collective’s Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts.
https://ndncollective.org/ndn-collective-to-host-welcome-home-event-for-leonard-peltier/
#ndncollective #ndnmastodon #ndn #leonardpeltier #leonardpeltierfree
#LeonardPeltier to Be Freed After Half-Century in Prison: “A Day of Victory for #Indigenous People”
"We speak with the #NDNCollective’s #NickTilsen, who just visited Leonard Peltier in prison after news of his sentence commutation, about fighting for Peltier’s freedom, his health and Trump’s executive orders attacking environmental rights and Indigenous sovereignty."
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/1/21/leonard_peltier
#NativeAmericans #PineRidge #FBI #PoliticalPrisoners #StateRepression #AIM #USpol #USpolitics
Biden Commutes Sentence of Leonard Peltier
https://consortiumnews.com/2025/01/20/biden-commutes-sentence-of-leonard-peltier/
Biden’s last-minute move allows the American Indian Movement activist, imprisoned for nearly half a century, to “spend his remaining days in home confinement.” By Brett Wilkins Common Dreams Just minutes before leaving office, Joe Biden on Monday commuted the life…
#Politics #BidenAdministration #Legal #U.s. #AmericanIndianMovement(aim) #AmnestyInternationalUsa #AnnieMaePictouAquash #BrettWilkins #DebHaaland #F.b.i. #JackColer #JoeStuntzKillsright #LeonardPeltier #NdnCollective #PineRidge #PresidentialPardon #Rep.RaúlGrijalva #RonaldWilliams #U.s.BureauOfIndianAffairs #U.s.PresidentJoeBiden
LEONARD PELTIER HAS BEEN GRANTED CLEMENCY. HE'S GOING HOME!!! Yes, I am yelling! #REJOICE!
#LeonardPeltier
#Freedom
#Clemency
#Indigenous
#FirstNations
#NDNCountry
#NDNCollective
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eVmWW1V7jqU
(seeking info to add #alttext4you)
Will #Biden Grant #LeonardPeltier Clemency? #Indigenous Leaders Plead, “Don’t Let Him Die in Prison”
#DemocracyNow, January 17, 2025
"After commuting the sentences of over 2,500 people imprisoned for nonviolent drug offenses, Joe Biden has set a record for most pardons and commutations by a U.S. president. But Indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier remains behind bars. Over 120 tribal leaders are calling on Biden to grant clemency to Peltier as one of his final acts in office, warning this may be the last opportunity Peltier has for freedom. Peltier is 80 years old and has spent the majority of his life — nearly half a century — in prison despite a conviction riddled with irregularities and prosecutorial misconduct. In December, tribal leaders, including the #NDNCollective’s Nick Tilsen, met with a pardon attorney at the Department of Justice to prepare a recommendation on Peltier’s case for Biden. With only a few days left in Biden’s term, #NativeAmericans are eagerly anticipating his decision. 'All of us see a little bit of ourselves in Leonard Peltier, and that’s why we fight so hard for him,' says Tilsen. 'This is about paving a path forward that gives us the opportunity to have justice and begin to heal the relationship between the United States government and Indian people. And so, this decision is massive.' "
Listen / watch / read transcript (available after 1pm EST): https://www.democracynow.org/2025/1/17/free_leonard_peltier_biden_clemency
#ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #FreeLeonardPeltier #AmericanIndianMovement #AIM #NativeAmericanActivist #FBI #ACAB #TruthAndReconciliation
Minnesota tribal leaders call for #Biden to commute #LeonardPeltier's sentence
by Melissa Olson, January 14, 2025
"A group of over 120 elected current and former tribal leaders from across the United States are calling on President Joe Biden to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier, a longstanding political activist convicted in 1977 in the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, according to a story first published Monday by HuffPost.
"Peltier is a member of the #AmericanIndianMovement, a grassroots Native American organization formed in Minneapolis in the late 1960s in response to police violence.
“'For the majority of his life, Leonard Peltier has been serving a sentence based on a conviction that would not hold up in court today and for a crime that the government has admitted it could not prove. Mr. Peltier’s continued incarceration is a symbol to Native Americans of the systemic inequities of the criminal justice system in America,' read the letter from tribal elected officials published on #NDNCollective.
"The letter was signed by over a dozen elected tribal officials in Minnesota, including president of the #LowerSioux Indian Community Robert Larsen, who verified the accuracy of the letter to MPR News, as well as Chair of #BoisForteBand of Chippewa Cathy Chavers and Chief Executive of the #MilleLacs Band of# Ojibwe Virgil Wind, who signed the letter as President of the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes.
"Faron Jackson, chair of the #LeechLakeBand of Ojibwe, also signed the letter. Jackson spoke to MPR News while attending the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe annual state of the band address Tuesday.
"'I think it was an injustice from day one,” said Jackson. “He’s been sitting in prison for almost 50 years on a lot of circumstantial evidence that just didn’t add up to justice.'
"Peltier, a citizen of the #TurtleMountainBand of #Chippewa in North Dakota, is currently serving two life sentences at a federal prison in Florida. Peltier has maintained his innocence since he was first imprisoned."
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/14/minnesota-tribal-leaders-call-for-biden-to-commute-leonard-peltier-sentence
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AIM
#LandbackForThePeople S2 Ep. 5
"#NickTilsen invites filmmakers #JulianBraveNoisecat (former #NDNCollective Media Fellow) and #EmilyKassie, directors of the award winning #documentary #Sugarcane, to have the conversation on #IndianBoardingSchools (known as #ResidentialSchools in #Canada) and its relationship with #LandBack."
#Indigenous #NativeResidentialSchools #NativeBoardingSchools #FirstNations #WilliamsLake #CdnPoli #CdnHist #ColonialViolence #cinema @film
#LeonardPeltier: ‘This is what mercy is for’
by Pauly Denetclaw
Thu, December 5, 2024
"Hawai’i Sen. #BrianSchatz chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, made a plea to President Joe Biden on behalf of Leonard Peltier on Dec. 4. In a less than four-minute speech on the Senate floor, he asked that Biden grant clemency to Peltier.
"Biden on Sunday evening pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for 'offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024, including but not limited to all offenses charged or prosecuted (including any that have resulted in convictions) by Special Counsel David C. Weiss,' according to a statement by Biden.
"Schatz noted the alleged violation of Peltier’s constitutional rights to a fair trial during the 1977 murder trial of two FBI agents.
"'The process that led to his conviction had major issues and inaccuracies from the start,' Schatz said. 'For example, one witness whose statements were used at trial said she was told to lie and say that she was in a relationship with Peltier and that she had witnessed him shoot the agents. She later recanted that statement, saying, ‘I was forced into this, and I feel very awful. I just wish that Leonard Peltier would get out of prison.’”
"He also talked about one of the jurors in the case who allegedly admitted to being racist toward Native Americans, but was still allowed to remain on the jury that would convict Peltier of two first-degree murder charges.
"Peltier would be sentenced to two life sentences. He has maintained his innocence.
"In July, the Assembly of First Nations, representing over 600 Indigenous leaders in Canada, rescinded their nearly 40 year support of Peltier because of his alleged role in the murder of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, Mik’maq, by American Indian Movement members. Peltier denies he had any involvement. [See my posts about #AnnaMaePictouAquash]
"#AmnestyInternational, United Nations’ Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, three tribal nations, National Congress of American Indians, #NDNCollective and the Native American Rights Fund have all urged Biden to grant Peltier clemency.
“'According to reporting, a juror who on day two of the trial professed her prejudice against Native Americans, was allowed to remain on the panel,' Schatz said. 'If that wasn't enough, take it from the very U.S. attorney who tried the case. The prosecutor who tried the case, James Reynolds, who said (in a letter that) Peltier had served his sentence on ‘the basis of minimal evidence, a result that I strongly doubt would be upheld in any court today.'
"Schatz read excerpts from a 2021 letter that James Reynolds sent to Biden to ask for Peltier’s clemency.
"Peltier’s health has been declining over the last few years. He has repeatedly been denied commuted sentencing, parole, pardon, clemency, and compassionate release.
"'Peltier is now 80 years old and has been in prison for 50 years, he is in declining health, experiencing vision loss and other illnesses. In spite of all that, earlier this year, federal officials denied his request for compassionate release and parole,' Schatz said. 'So even if you believe that he did in fact commit the crime, surely the time is now to let him spend whatever remaining days he has at home to die with his family. He's done his time. He's of old age and in poor health. This is what clemency is for. This is what mercy is for. He poses little threat to society.'
"Biden’s last day in office is January 20, 2025. In his last administration, President-elect Donald Trump took no action on Peltier’s request for clemency. On his last full day in office, former President Barack Obama denied clemency for Peltier."
https://news.yahoo.com/news/leonard-peltier-mercy-165336810.html
#FreeLeonardPeltier #AmnestyForLeonardPeltier #ClemencyForLeonardPeltier #AIM #FBI #ACAB
