Let Us Stand Together
NBC News, Oct. 17, 2016
“The largest gathering of indigenous nations in modern American history has set up camp on land belonging to the Army Corps of Engineers at the confluence of the Cannonball and Missouri rivers in North Dakota. Tents and teepees, now home to whole families, stretch the plain.
They have come by the hundreds to protest construction of the 1,172-mile Dakota Access oil pipeline, which would run within a half-mile of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation and cross beneath the Missouri River. Opponents say the pipeline will adversely impact drinking water and disturb sacred tribal sites.
Supporters say it would enable crude oil from North Dakota to reach major refineries while reducing more dangerous rail and truck transport.”
A map of the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline. Courtesy Paul Horn, Inside-Climate-News
What is happening at the Standing Rock Sioux nation located in the rolling grasslands of remote south central North Dakota is truly historic.
And things are changing hourly.
The tent/tipi “protest city” that fluctuates between hundreds of people and thousands on the weekend flies the flags of 240 native nations. A sign at the entrance to the Sacred Stones camp declares they are unarmed. Walking through the gate, one is greeted by a member of this united nation who offers burning sage as a smudge of welcome and intent for peace.
Photo of Oceti Sakowin Camp—internet photographer unidentified
Like many of you, I have been hearing bits and pieces of this story since summer when the protest city began to grow. I recently attended a local forum where clergy and several island activists called a meeting to inform us of their experiences visiting Standing Rock. They offered tangible stories of what is happening at the encampment.
• Two semi trailer loads of firewood were sent from the Yakima nation in eastern Washington to keep people warm as winter approaches. The Yakima also sent their entire legal department to help sort through the growing complexity of federal orders and injunctions.
• The Lummi tribe from western Washington carried their salmon catch to the encampment to help feed people. Earlier, in August the 22-foot tall totem pole carved by master carver Jewell James arrived to be a presence as part of its 5,000 mile journey to call attention to the impacts of fossil fuel development in Indian Country.
• People from all walks of life are coming to witness and support.
Some of the many folks coming to show their support for Standing Rock. Photo by Jim Seda/NBC news
As winter begins to settle onto the plains, law enforcement personnel are becoming increasingly edgy. On Saturday, October 22, 127 protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal trespassing on private property, according to new figures released Sunday by the Morton County Sheriff’s Office. As part of a prayer ritual, the water protectors are walking to the end of the pipeline construction site, sitting, and praying. Morton County sheriff, Kyle Kirchmeir said in an Oct. 24 news conference that personnel from neighboring states have responded to his call for more support.
Recent arrest of protestors by local police. Rob Wilson Photography for YES magazine.
I write this blog to honor the request of the Standing Rock Sioux to “keep us in your prayers and consciousness”. Daily updates are available on social media and on the web.
Follow this one folks! It is a powerfully symbolic issue where people are taking great risks to show their support of Native American and environmental issues.
Give money as you feel called. Here is one site: legal defense fund: https://fundrazr.com/sacredstone. This is enabling things like the flight of leadership of the Oceti Sakowin Seven Council Fires Camp to meet President Obama on Wednesday, Oct. 26 to request intervention of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Keep conversations active. On Monday, October 24, 2016 the United Nations communicated with the Oceti Sakowin Seven Council Fires Camp that they are now recognized as a nation. UN Marshals will be arriving to observe and help. Facebook and other social media are full of information, as are an increasing number of more mainstream media.
I believe this is a powerful turning point event for the future of indigenous people in this country and everywhere. I believe this is a powerful turning point in the mentality that “we will keep taking fossil fuels out of the ground no matter what the cost to the environment and people.”
A deep bow of respect to the Standing Rock Sioux and all who are stepping forward to be of help. And, of course, prayers also for the peace officers that they might act with dignity and respect under trying conditions.
Water protectors from the Oceti Sakowin Seven Council Fires Camp walking to their prayer site. Photo by Andrew Cullen, Reuters
Great job, Ann! :o)
It IS an historic time of coming together of the indigenous people this country. They are teaching us to continue to more deeply ‘know’… where we are, ‘know’ … who is with us, and “to be”…where we are, in connection with the earth and one another at this time.
Thank you for this ‘speaking’ Ann. I also have felt the significance and urgency of this event. Far more than a protest! I have felt called to hold this confluence, and confrontation of the great forces in play, in prayer every day. Your message gives me strength and a sense of connection with all those who are responding. Thank you!
I returned to Michigan from Standing Rock the afternoon before the first plains blizzard arrived in the night. I am not an American Indian but I have lived near and worked with many tribal members on many reservations. I have a deep respect and liking for these people. Not as an incarnation of some lost sense of the sacred that is pursued for our spiritual benefit, but for the community that honors and sacrifices and suffers to preserve the sacred.
The next months hold dire dangers to all the people and peoples who have gathered to defend the sacred waters. The feeling of unity was strong and the mood is tense. The forces of ‘civilization’ that can no longer sustain a ‘civilized’ person gives us helmeted soldiers as the empire prepares to strike…”, and not ‘back’ but ‘again’!
The appointments tRump has announced guarantee more violence from the empire. Stop them at every turn from the Tower to the Teepee.