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.
Mission Statement
The mission of Dakota Plains Legal Services is to promote equal access to justice and improve the lives of our low income clients through quality legal assistance. We provide legal representation, advocacy, conflict resolution, and community education options to meet the legal needs of our Native American and non-Native American clients and our community. This includes Indian law, family law, health law, housing law, and income maintenance law. All DPLS offices are located on or near Indian reservations in South Dakota and North Dakota, and DPLS has an especially proud history of effective advocacy addressing the unique legal needs of our Native American clients.
