Our work began in 2005 when Romero Institute staff went to South Dakota to meet with members of the Oceti Sakowin Oyate—People of the Seven Council Fires—commonly known as the Great Sioux Nation.
“The Lakota People’s Law Project provides direction on what we need to do to fight for our children and grandchildren. I would like to thank them for giving us hope and helping us make a stand for our rights—and for the rights of the next generation.”
– Eileen Chasing Horse Crow Creek Sioux
The men told us of a long history of treaty violations, military defeats and systemic corruption that has resulted in the loss of their most sacred lands. The women talked to us about the children, and grandchildren, and an epidemic of young ones being removed from their homes, families, and traditions—a problem so widespread that it has decimated the generation charged with carrying their culture forward.
The Lakota People’s Law Project (LPLP) was born from these discussions. Since opening our first office in South Dakota in 2006, the primary focus of our work has been the Lakota Child Rescue Project. We know that any genuine attempt at justice begins with returning the children.
We have delivered over 3,500 hours of free training and technical assistance to Native American communities in South Dakota. This work has included assisting families as they navigate the complexities of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), helping tribal staff to create new programs and build capacity, working to increase the responsiveness of state and national systems to Indian family issues, and hosting a first-of-its-kind training for tribal members to serve as Qualified Expert Witnesses in ICWA hearings.
Currently, we are engaged in our most pressing work: compiling court-admissible evidence and preparing a federal civil lawsuit on behalf of tribes and families whose rights have been violated by state authorities. Our goal is to secure the return of the more than 2,200 Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota children who have been illegally taken from their homes.
Our Work
Our work began in 2005 when Romero Institute staff went to South Dakota to meet with members of the Oceti Sakowin Oyate—People of the Seven Council Fires—commonly known as the Great Sioux Nation.
“The Lakota People’s Law Project provides direction on what we need to do to fight for our children and grandchildren. I would like to thank them for giving us hope and helping us make a stand for our rights—and for the rights of the next generation.”
Crow Creek Sioux
The men told us of a long history of treaty violations, military defeats and systemic corruption that has resulted in the loss of their most sacred lands. The women talked to us about the children, and grandchildren, and an epidemic of young ones being removed from their homes, families, and traditions—a problem so widespread that it has decimated the generation charged with carrying their culture forward.
The Lakota People’s Law Project (LPLP) was born from these discussions. Since opening our first office in South Dakota in 2006, the primary focus of our work has been the Lakota Child Rescue Project. We know that any genuine attempt at justice begins with returning the children.
We have delivered over 3,500 hours of free training and technical assistance to Native American communities in South Dakota. This work has included assisting families as they navigate the complexities of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), helping tribal staff to create new programs and build capacity, working to increase the responsiveness of state and national systems to Indian family issues, and hosting a first-of-its-kind training for tribal members to serve as Qualified Expert Witnesses in ICWA hearings.
Currently, we are engaged in our most pressing work: compiling court-admissible evidence and preparing a federal civil lawsuit on behalf of tribes and families whose rights have been violated by state authorities. Our goal is to secure the return of the more than 2,200 Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota children who have been illegally taken from their homes.
You can read more about the Lakota Child Rescue Project, and we urge you to make a gift to our Lakota Children Legal Action Fund.
As they say in Lakota—pilamaya—we thank you.