Nicole Rains

Oglala Lakota, Oglala Lakota Nation

Land Defense Director at Great Plains Action Society 

BSc in environmental science and sustainable agriculture from Iowa State University​

 

- Obituary & Service Information (Jan 17-18)  ~  Instagram Post  ~  Facebook Post

- Send flowers, plant a tree and share memories on the tribute wall on Nicole's page.

- Cards and gifts can be mailed to her Mom and Dad. Contact sikowis@greatplainsaction.org for the address.

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From the GPAS Crew

Nicole Rains, a passionate organizer in the fight for environmental justice and Indigenous rights, has left us far too soon. This loss leaves an unfillable void in the lives of her loved ones, friends, and work family at Great Plains Action Society (GPAS), where she served as Land Defense Director. Her time as an organizer made a mark through her fierce dedication to protecting the health of our Earth and all that is sacred. With unwavering commitment, she worked tirelessly to promote regenerative land practices and a just society, both of which embodied the spirit of ReMatriation.

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Nicole grew up in Des Moines but she was also an enrolled citizen of the Oglala Oyate. Through a strong bond with her grandmother, Nicole learned to love and appreciate her Ogalala heritage. After her grandmother's passing, she continued to forge new connections and deepen her understanding of her Indigenous roots, a journey that ultimately led her to work with the Great Plains Action Society. She drew upon the traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to inform her work, combining ancient practices with modern science to create a powerful force for change. Nicole's academic background in environmental science and sustainable agriculture at Iowa State University provided a solid foundation for her advocacy work. Her specialization in soil science gave her a profound appreciation for the intricate balance between land, water, and life.

 

The impact Nicole made on this world went far beyond her professional work. Her empathetic nature and ability to accept people for whom they truly were created a sense of belonging and fostered meaningful relationships with those around her. She was also wonderfully eccentric and with an irreverent sense of humor that made everyone around her laugh at the absurdity of this colonial-capitalist world. Her commitment to community empowerment led her to collaborate with mutual aid communities in Des Moines and Omaha, supporting initiatives that addressed immediate needs that also fostered radical solidarity within the oppressed, houseless and working class. 

 

As we mourn the loss of this brilliant and fierce individual, we take comfort in the knowledge that her spirit will live on through the lives she touched and the work she did. We remember her passionate belief in the resilience of Indigenous knowledge systems, harm reduction strategies and compassionate outreach and her dedication to caring for the Earth and all that is sacred.

 

Nicole's legacy is a call to action. The actions she took when she was alive will continue to challenge us to reshape narratives, reclaim spaces, and revitalize our collective commitment to the Earth and all that is just. Let us honor her memory by continuing her work, fueled by the passion and conviction that she inspired in us.

 

Rest in power, Nicole Rains. Your enduring legacy will continue to ignite our collective pursuit of a world guided by Indigenous ways of being where justice, equality, and love prevail.