RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- NDN Collective, a Rapid City-based indigenous advocacy group, has received a $50 million grant from the Bush Foundation to be distributed to indigenous peoples in need across a three state area.

That area being the Dakotas, Minnesota, and the 23 native nations which first called the land home.

Nick Tilsen, president of NDN Collective, said this is an opportunity for indigenous individuals to get a hand up.

Tilsen said there is a great deal of good that can come from redistributing these dollars.

However, Tilsen, speaking to a hypothetical resident, argues there is a compelling economic case for this action as well.

Tilsen clarified the grant does not, in his eyes, constitute repatriations, and said in the grand scheme of things, $50 million will only go so far addressing the needs of over 100,000 indigenous peoples.