Ruth Hopkins

Ruth Hopkins (Sisseton Wahpeton and Mdewakanton Dakota, Hunkpapa Lakota) is a writer, blogger, biologist, activist and judge.

Op-Ed

Police Militarization Is a Threat to Tribal Sovereignty

Police are being armed like the military without receiving the compulsory military training.

By: Ruth Hopkins ,; IndianCountryToday

September 22, 2017

Op-Ed

Footing the $15 Million Bill for the Dakota Access Pipeline’s Private Army

Sen. John Hoeven added monies to the Department of Justice's budget for FY 2017 to reimburse North Dakota for incurred costs.

By: Ruth Hopkins ,; IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork

May 23, 2017

Op-Ed

Save Bear Butte

Turtle Island and the Indigenous groups who have occupied these lands are older than America, and Bear Butte is one of these ancient holy places.

By: Ruth Hopkins ,; IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork

June 29, 2016

Op-Ed

Mr. President: Honor Nelson Mandela’s Wishes and Free Leonard Peltier

Honor Nelson Mandela's legacy by doing what your Presidential predecessors failed to do and free Native activist Leonard Peltier.

By: Ruth Hopkins ,; IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork

December 15, 2013

Op-Ed

The Emperor Has No Clothes: A Native Perspective of the Government Shutdown

They've done it. A mere thirty Republican Tea Party extremists have managed to shut down the U.S. government, potentially tanking a national economy that's already on life support. Ironically …

By: Ruth Hopkins ,; SpeakOut

October 5, 2013

Op-Ed

Of Scalps and Savages: How Colonial Language Enforces Discrimination against Indigenous Peoples

Before I head out the door, I watch Morning Joe on MSNBC. It's part of my workday routine. This morning they were talking about the latest issue of the …