Standing Rock Update November 29th

Good morning, beautiful people. The water protectors are still standing strong at Oceti Sakowin, North Dakota. Winter has set in with a thick blanket of snow and freezing temperatures.

camp earlier in November before the snow

I am not an expert; I’m not a reporter or a researcher. If this topic is of interest to you, please seek out more information on your own as well. I am passing on some information that has come my way today. Starting with a video, taken with a drone camera, an aerial view of the Oceti Sakowin water protector camp in North Dakota.

The water protectors are guarding sacred land as well as the Missouri River which is the primary water resource of the Standing Rock Sioux. The federal government has repeatedly violated treaty agreements as well as the legal agreement to consider off-reservation resources that the tribe depends upon. The Dakota Access Pipeline violates those agreements and the water protectors are peacefully assembled to permanently stop the pipeline from being constructed under the Missouri River.

From an article on Slate.com

“The reservation established by the Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1851, for example, included extensive lands that would be crossed by the pipeline. Although the government soon violated provisions of both that 1851 treaty and the Treaty of Fort Laramie 1868, the tribe may still have outstanding claims. In addition, various federal laws have been promulgated precisely to give the tribes a role in decisions affecting tribal resources off-reservation”

I also found this of interest this morning, originally posted on November 3, a list of requests for people participating in the Standing Rock camp:

IF YOU ARE COMING TO STANDING ROCK…
We’ve had a HUGE Influx of people suddenly – mostly white and there are some things you should know…

1) No drugs or alcohol… This is not burning man or a festival. Do not bring your party at the expense of these peoples fight for life and death.
2) Remain in prayer 100% of the time – this is a peaceful gathering and one that needs to be treated with the same respect you would hold in a church space.
3) YOU ARE NOT ON VACATION – this is not a camping trip – if you come for god sakes HELP OUT! Carry something, cook something, clean something.
4) Realize you are not going to “Save the day” – your donations will be taken and added to the stores but it’s no heroes welcome. Be ready for that. However, we are grateful for what you bring – if you want a Thankyou hug, come find me or Regina!
5) Nobody wants to hear your songs with your guitar or drum around the fire – unless you are asked to perform, don’t do it. Along the same lines of how you would conduct yourself in church or a ceremony space. Just break out in song? I don’t think so.
6) Find and talk to the elders – they are so wonderful and calming to be around! They are the pillars of this community and getting to know them has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time here.

DISCLAIMER – I know this may sound harsh but it’s what we are experiencing here. We need this to be very clear so take time to understand the traditions and Native ways before arrival.

I wanted to share that because it gave me an increased understanding of the culture of the Oceti Sakowin camp at Standing Rock. I hope you find that of interest as well.

If you would like more information, ways to help, or where to donate, please visit the official website of Oceti Sakowin Camp.

And if you want to talk about it, let’s do that in the comments section: honk at us!