Regional Native Public Defense

Justice. Healing. Community.

The Regional Native Public Defense Corporation (RNPDC) is a Native-led nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to seek justice and fair treatment for members of federally recognized tribes facing criminal charges.

Every day, our attorneys and advocates stand on the frontlines of a justice system that has historically perpetuated intergenerational family separation, poverty, and racial discrimination. We work to change that reality for Native people in Itasca, Cass, Beltrami, Clearwater, and Mahnomen Counties.

This year, we grew stronger together.

In 2025, we focused on collaboration and care — strengthening partnerships across northern Minnesota to make sure that our community members receive more than legal representation.

• Mental Health & Chemical Health: We expanded services through contracted chemical health assessors and mental health diagnostic providers to address the root causes of justice involvement and support long-term healing.

• Community Outreach: We deepened our outreach efforts, showing up in community spaces, listening, and building bridges with service providers, tribal programs, and advocates.

• Collaboration: We worked alongside partners to close gaps in access to justice, housing, treatment, transportation, and other essential supports.

Since 2017, RNPDC has represented clients in more than 7,000 cases — each one a story of a person, a family, and a community that deserves dignity and a fair chance.

Your support powers this work.

By contributing on Give to the Max Day, you help us:

• Provide strong legal defense for Native individuals who might otherwise go unheard.

• Expand holistic support, connecting legal advocacy with mental health, chemical health, peer support, and re-entry services.

• Build trust in community, through education, outreach, and culturally grounded engagement.

• Advance justice, by challenging systemic disparities and uplifting Native voices in policy change.

Why Give Now

Your donation directly supports Native-led legal advocacy that prioritizes healing, dignity, and community strength. Every contribution — big or small — makes a real impact. Together, we can expand critical services, support more families, and continue to transform systems that have caused harm for too long.

Join us in creating lasting change. Miigwech — thank you for standing with us in this movement for justice and healing.

Learn more at www.NativeDefense.org 

Best, 

RNPDC Staff

Office@NativeDefense.org 

218-339-5680