| Dakota Plains Legal Services
("DPLS"), chartered in 1967 as the first legal
services organization in South Dakota, is a
501(c)(3) not-for-profit legal services
organization. DPLS’ basic mission is to
promote equal access to justice and improve
the lives of our low income clients through
effective legal assistance.
DPLS’ low income clients, especially our
Native American clients, face many unique
legal problems. The availability of legal
assistance is the key to effective
participation in the legal system.
DPLS has seven branch offices - six in South
Dakota and one in North Dakota- serving
primarily Native American clients living on or
near nine Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota (Sioux)
Indian Reservations in South Dakota and North
Dakota. DPLS is often the sole source of legal
assistance available to our clients, both
Native and non-Native.
DPLS has a proud history of serving the
unique legal needs of our Native American
clients and special expertise in practicing in
the nine Tribal Court systems in our service
area. DPLS is nationally recognized as an
effective advocate for Native American people
in their struggle for equal justice and social
and economic survival.
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