In 2022, Nick Tilsen pulled over to conduct a routine cop watch where a Native unhoused relative was being stopped by Rapid City Police (RCPD) in Rapid City, South Dakota.

A year later from that cop watch, Nick received notice that he was being charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and obstruction of a police officer from the incident. The officer wasn’t touched at all; no physical harm was caused to any officer in this incident, and there is video evidence that proves Nick's innocence.

Nick is being systematically targeted as an Indigenous movement leader. Local prosecutors intentionally sought out the police officer named in this case and encouraged him to press charges. The charges brought against Nick are false and inflated to criminalize, silence, and ultimately isolate him from his community through imprisonment. If found guilty, Nick would be facing up to 26 years in prison.

This is a violation of constitutional and human rights. Nick is being targeted by the RCPD because he has unapologetically stood on his values and has called for accountability and justice for people harmed by police in Rapid City. This is a continuation of the American legacy of vilifying Indigenous people and the legal system targeting and over-criminalizing Indigenous movement leaders.

NDN Collective has been pushing for a federal investigation into the Rapid City Police Department for over 3 years for its racist policies and procedures. This fight is bigger than just Nick Tilsen. It’s about protecting our people, our right to free speech, and to demand justice & accountability for those harmed, murdered, and incarcerated by RCPD.

Nick is a devoted father, son, uncle, spiritual helper, mentor, and leader respected by his elders, the broader movement, and Indigenous people.

Nick had an evidentiary hearing in June and August 2025 at the Pennington County Courthouse, where we presented evidence of Nick's innocence and the pattern of targeted attacks against Indigenous people by the Rapid City Police Department (RCPD). We also provided evidence that exemplified how RCPD continues to violate their own audio & camera policies by intentionally turning their body-worn-cameras (BWC) off during critical interactions with the public, when they should be left recording. We asked the court to do the right thing and dismiss the case.  

1. Call the prosecutor's office; Dial: (605) 394-2191 then press 4 OR send an email using this link. Call script & toolkit coming soon!

2. Sign this Petition (our goal is to reach 20,000 signatures by 1/23/26)

3. Attend the trial at Pennington County Courthouse on 1/26/26 at 7:30 AM. We will begin with prayer. Light refreshments, lunch, and dinner will be provided. No clothing with written letters will be permitted. No outbursts or interruptions during the trial is allowed. Keep your phone on silent mode.  

4. Donate to the NDN Legal Fund.

5. Calling on Tribes and Organizations to complete this sign-on-letter of support here.

6. Share this information with a friend or on social media to bring attention to the injustices happening in South Dakota.

7. Stay connected to receive email and sms updates about the case, register here.