Why I Dropped Everything to Head to Standing Rock

[G_j]

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/37955-why-i-dropped-everything-to-head-to-standing-rock

Wednesday, 12 October 2016 00:00
By Paula Schmidt, YES! Magazine | Op-Ed

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The day I left for Standing Rock, I had answered a Facebook post about a group of people heading out that afternoon for North Dakota to stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux and the hundreds of other tribes who were trying to protect the Missouri River from the Dakota Access pipeline. Could I be ready to leave at 2 that afternoon, the pastor asked when I called to see if I could tag along with the small group of people I had never met from a Unitarian Universalist church I didn't belong to. I could, and so we left Seattle by train, none of us knowing what to expect but knowing we needed to be part of this huge environmental protest created by thousands of Native American water protectors, who knew too well what harm an invasion of cowboys could cause. 

We made it to Standing Rock in spite of the roadblock on Highway 1806 leading to the reservation. There were patches of National Guard troops planted on the streets, and a state of emergency was declared by a governor bent on making the occupation look disorderly and violent. As we entered Oceti Sakowin Camp, we were greeted by a giant handwritten sign on the hillside: "We are peaceful." And that is exactly what we experienced while there: a peaceful, welcoming gathering of thousands, a river of people protecting their river of life and ultimately protecting the rivers for all of us.

People from all over North and South America greeted us with hugs and handshakes on our walk from our campsite to the main camp. With my very pale skin and red hair, I was an obvious outsider, but it didn't matter. We were all in this together. We cut vegetables together and cooked food in cauldrons over open fires. Some unloaded supply trucks filled with canned goods and wood donated from every corner of the country. Some sat around the main campfire and listened while Native Americans reinforced their collective belief that Earth is both our mother and our grandmother. Traditional prayer dances were performed by incoming tribes while nephews were instructed to help with tasks like chopping wood and keeping the camp running smoothly. 

..more...

[Tribalceltic]

1. I am with you in spirit

Please accept my well wishes and hope for your safety

the world is depending on you.
But no pressure

I do wish you the best of luck and safety.

[2naSalit]

2. I am still

tempted to go there too. Not working at the moment but have to be frugal with my cash as it has to last me a while. If I can get over there I'll go.

[sagetea]

3. You should go!

They are asking for help with everything! I was there in August-September. If you believe in what they are doing you really should!!

However, a N. Dakota winter is very harsh and brutal. So stay warm!!! I am going back over Thanksgiving.

Ho`

sage

[sagetea]

4. I went, it was great! Going back in November.

Have you gone, G_J? I think you would be very much an asset there. They need all the support they can get out there!!!


Ho`
sage