You may have seen the top image in conjunction with a news article about tipis being burned at Standing Rock. It is a fake.
For those of you sharing it around, please know that it’s actually a photoshopped version of a still from the movie Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. As you can see, the individuals are in Union uniform, carrying muskets, and snow and haybales have been added as well as cropping the mounted figure out. I, of course, have no idea what actually went down at Standing Rock but please pay attention to what you’re sharing and do your research. Not everything you read is true and regardless of what really happened, using a false image deliberately changed in order to stir up anger is bad journalism and does not make good credibility.
Featuring lettering by a luxe contraband, this 12-page calendar celebrates the beauty of water as seen from the California coast. Each month includes a postcard and a quote by an inspiring woman.
Video shows authorities arrest one of the last remaining demonstrators at Dakota Access Pipeline protest camp after evacuation deadline passes. http://abcn.ws/2leOWys
If you send mail/packages to individuals to our addresses: Please include a contact email or phone number on the package/letter so we can find the individual. If you can’t include it on the mail itself please send a text to (701) 301-2238 saying if it’s a letter or a package, who it is addressed to, and how to contact that person so we can get it to them. Also make sure the person you are sending it to is at Sacred Stone Camp, not Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Red Warrior, Rosebud, or the other camps. We only accept mail for Sacred Stone Camp. If you don’t know, please ask the person you are sending to.
At this time the camp has a surplus of clothes and encourage you to buy things from our Amazon list instead of sending old clothes.
Please be aware that the camp only has limited solar and wind power at the camps.
TOP NEEDS
Firewood (preferably oak, maple, ash) *NEED
Tipi/Tipi poles/Tipi liners for winter
Pick-up truck with a 4 wheel drive
Trailer/campers (for winter shelters)
Snow tires - various sizes; tire chains
Gas cards
Wall tents with wood stoves and poles
Sleeping bags for subzero temperatures (including military style)
If you live in American, you’ve likely heard of the ongoing struggle taking place at the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. There, hundreds of protestors are standing their ground against both Dakota Access LLC (Energy Transfer Partners) and the militaristic police presence. The police force in this area has ordered and deployed vicious assaults against the peaceful protestors in the form of attack dogs, rubber bullets, tear gas, and more.
What Is The Dakota Access Pipeline?
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a proposed crude oil pipeline that has been approved by The US Army Corps of Engineers in July 2016. The pipeline would run underground from North Dakota to Illinois by way of South Dakota and Iowa. (x)
Why Is DAPL Bad?
The Dakota Access Pipeline is opposed because of several reasons. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stated in their filed complaint in federal court that “the construction and operation of the pipeline…threatens the Tribe’s environment and economic well-being, and would damage and destroy sites of great historic, religious, and cultural significance to the Tribe.” (x) The construction of DAPL would disturb the environment and very possibly contaminate the natural water sources that the locals rely on. In addition, many feel that resources would be better spent investing in alternative energy sources.
What Can We Do To Help Right Now?
Even if you are not able to travel to Standing Rock to join the protesters, there are many ways to contribute to their cause and to their protection and well being.
Apparently the situation at Standing Rock is being made worse because white people are going there just for the “cultural experience” and treating it like it’s a vacation. If you can’t be respectful and cognizant of the protocols in place at Standing Rock, then it would help everyone out more for you to just stay home (and there absolutely are measures that you can take to support Standing Rock and NoDAPL that don’t involve actual protesting–there’s nothing wrong with supporting from a distance if you’re worried that your presence at Standing Rock will not be received well for whatever reason).
Be respectful. Take the time to actually learn about the traditions in place before you go to Standing Rock. Talk with the Native people there. Leave the camp the same way that it was when you got there (or better). Don’t make it all about your own personal feelings or how you think these demonstrations should go. It’s not about you, and if you’re going to Standing Rock you better be the best ally you can. Native people and sites are not your playthings, so stop treating them like they are.
[[Image Description: A set of three screenshots of a FB post made by Alicia Smith, which read:
“On my way back from the camps. Need to get something off my chest that I witnessed and found very disturbing in my brief time there that I believe many others have started to speak up about as well. White people are colonizing the camps. I mean that seriously. Plymouth rock seriously. They are coming in, taking food, clothing and occupying space without any desire to participate in camp maintenance and without respect of tribal protocols.
“These people are treating it like it is Burning Man or The Rainbow Gathering and I even witnessed several wandering in and out of camps comparing it to those festivals. Waiting with big smiles expectantly for us to give them a necklace and an ‘indian’ name while our camp leader was speaking.They are literally subsisting entirely off of the generosity of the native people (AND YOUR DONATIONS if you have been donating) who are fighting to protect their water just because they can. Some literally will not even prepare food but will take food that is prepared, again, having not done anything else all day.
“An elder, who I respect dearly, was screamed at by a young woman who was already warned once about disrespecting protocol. She was neither native, nor LGBTQ, but was occupying a camp for 2 spirit people. This girl also said ‘ancestors don’t matter we should just love each other.’ It gets worse, I saw affluent looking white people participating in ceremony and then standing off to the side to smoke and talk about their travels in Australia before it was even halfway over. I listened to a man on the phone with his friends telling them to all come because he thinks it’s such a great 'cultural experience.’ Yesterday I spent all day with some wonderful people at the 2 spirit camp building a new pier for the morning water ceremonies, only to learn that our 2 spirit elder was forced out of the ceremony the next day, their position occupied by white women.
“Last night, a dozen or so white people were running camp to camp telling people the cops were going to raid the camp and everyone needed to block the bridge right now. These agitators unnecessarily wanted to put people in danger of being arrested just so their picture might go viral. With complete disregard for the agreement one of the camp leaders told us about, between the police and the camp, to keep the bridge clear. I saw a couple of good allies while I was there. A young white woman who jumped in front of a truck to stop it from running over one of our elders. The man driving got out with a gun and fired it over her head and she did not move. This girl is in my heart forever. A white man also came out in the mud with us to help construct the pier. Both did this humbly and respectfully and obviously to the betterment of the camp itself and to these people who never even asked for a thank you, I thank them anyway.
“I am writing all this to say that if you want to come, or know someone who does, tell them to really search their heart and ask themselves why. And instead to maybe thinking about sending money or supplies to help winterize the camp. The first snow is supposed to fall Thursday. And to be honest I am worried for our warriors.”
Transcript for fourth screenshot can be found at the above link or here.]]
[via Rabia’s Riff newsletter / WakingUpTogether.org.] “ We are now in the time we have been waiting for. 2016 will be remembered as the year Americans finally woke up to the imminent breakdown of our global ecosystem and the injustices inherent in corporate capitalism. We needed a shock to rouse us from the economic and technological slumber in which we have so comfortably taken refuge since the 1950’s.
In 2016 many events came together to provide that jolt to our collective system: • Political Corruption — the publication of Dark Money, Jane Mayer’s exposé of the ultra-conservative billionaires who bought out our political and judicial systems; • Corporate Fraud — the release of findings showing that ExxonMobil knew for more than 30 years that burning carbon was heating up the atmosphere with disastrous results, while continuing to fund climate deniers to deliberately confuse the American electorate; • Hate Mongering — the fact that sexism, harassment, racism and xenophobia have now become “politically correct”; • Citizen Activism — the Democracy Spring march on Washington, D.C., challenging Citizens United and big money in politics, and the powerful encampment at Standing Rock to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline; and • Political Discontent — the deeply polarizing presidential campaign and the surprise election of Donald Trump.
There is no doubt that the dissolution of the old order is now officially in progress, and things are only going to intensify. Because so much of our country still believes the misinformation spread by special interests, the environment and the economy may have to get much worse before the needed changes are put in place.
SO… is there any good news? There is a silver lining to this dark time: these crises are the very things that are triggering a major revolution, one that can lead us to a renewal of spiritual gratitude, ecological sustainability, social justice, and the understanding that self-interest is not the true goal of human life. Beautiful, hopeful, inspiring messages are already beginning to surface. (Click here to watch “I Trust You” video).
As the breathtaking victory at Standing Rock demonstrated, people are waking up. That victory was made possible by hundreds of thousands of acts of solidarity. For some it meant traveling to North Dakota, facing night after night of cold weather and police brutality. For others it meant organizing solidarity marches and rallies, spreading the word, signing petitions, pulling money out of banks funding the pipeline, and having tough conversations at the office and at the dinner table.
Elias and I witnessed first-hand the resolve of those gathered at Standing Rock, and the new sense of community that took root there: a growing tribe of all ages and backgrounds, unified in people’s willingness to stand up for justice, sacredness, and the health of the planet.
We all have been through dangerous times before; it is one of the ways we grow. If you have lived a vital life, you almost certainly have navigated many crises. In truth, real breakthroughs usually only come out of crises. And while being in the middle of a crisis can feel chaotic and scary, a crisis is what we want. Let’s welcome it!
As Clarissa Pinkola Estes reminds us, “We were made for these times.” Literally. Our DNA has evolved over a million years by turning dangers into opportunities. If you (and your ancestors) weren’t skilled in this particular wizardry, you wouldn’t be here now.
So this is the first silver lining: we have what it takes. At this very moment many writers, spokespeople, activists and leaders in various fields are writing inspiring essays and speaking up to remind us of this truth. We need to support these women and men. We need to shift our attention away from the “pundits” and media dogs who are paid to muddy the waters and distract us, who erode our self-esteem, who make us think we are helpless and isolated — and who convince us that we will only feel safe and whole and happy if we buy new and better “stuff.” We need to turn our attention instead to the women and men who focus on the true and the heartfelt, who are telling the new story about empathy, cooperation, justice, and community.
The second light in the sky is that we know what to do. Or at least where to begin. We do not lack for well-thought-out scenarios for the sustainability revolution that has to happen. Some of these ideas are already being adopted at the local level. Forward-thinking governors, mayors, and NGO leaders are linking cities and regions together to reduce energy consumption in order to adapt to unavoidable climate change. Many other plausible next steps can be found in the margins, in organizations and practices we call alternative, regenerative, and holistic.
Of course the road ahead will be filled with uncertainty; the challenges we face are many and complex. It will take time to work out exactly how we are going to share resources, devise necessary restraints, design neighborhoods, manage transportation, and address infrastructure needs — not to mention restoring health to the natural systems we have destroyed. However…
The third shining light is that we’re not in this alone. As the victory at Standing Rock demonstrates, the number of Americans who are already galvanizing is sizable, and growing daily. Fortunately, there are already many networks in place ready to work together and take action. We will need to rely more and more on these networks as a source of news and information, because much of the revolution will be hidden from us. The major news outlets only began covering Standing Rock when the number of people camped there passed the 5,000 mark — in other words, when not covering that story became an embarrassment.
I’ve done my share of activism, but the events of this last year — and especially of this last election — have inspired me to get involved at a level I’ve never before engaged in. It is a scary time, but it is also an exciting time. My hope is that you, too, will answer the call in whatever ways feel most meaningful to you. Alone we can do very little; but together, we can change the world. “ — Elizabeth Rabia Roberts http://wakinguptogether.org/
‘It’s the silver water serpent coming from the air to beat the black snake’
The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and other protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline temporarily won their battle Sunday when the pipeline’s builder’s were denied a permit to continue construction underneath the Missouri River.
The defeat of an energy company by indigenous activists shows what nonviolent unity can accomplish.
Watching the signs slide by on the highway…unlike the ones normal people see…we sense shifting colors on vaporous canvas, subtle yet silent motion, amorphous, brilliant, ghostly…suddenly, as though bursting forth in a sudden surge of energy, our reflection appears, riding on the tip of our shadow as it pierces the clouds beneath us.
I am so proud to be one small part of this enormous movement.
But let’s not forget - and this is a reminder for myself as much as it is information for others - this is the first step on a long journey. Run for office, local or national. Volunteer for organizations in your community, or donate if you have the means. Use your privilege, if you have it, to be an ally and stand with other movements that fight for equality, visibility, or access (Black Lives Matter,CAIR,ACLU,Planned Parenthood,Sacred Stone Camp). Know your reps and program their numbers into your phone. And more importantly, be excellent to each other.
If you marched (either physically or digitally), here’s a helpful guide provided by the Women’s March organizers for 10 Actions in the first 100 Days of the new administration.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s water supply may be heavily compromised if the pipeline would ever leak.
As environmentalist Bill McKibben noted in the New Yorker, the pipeline was originally slated to cross the Missouri River not far from North Dakota’s capital city of Bismarck, but the route was changed partly due to concerns about the potential contamination of the capitol’s drinking water in the event of a leak or spill. The pipeline is now set to run half a mile from the Sioux reservation near its water supply, Lake Oahe. (x)
The construction of the pipeline is expected to disrupt the tribe’s sacred burial grounds and other historically significant sites.
In a broader perspective, the environment would suffer extreme consequences as it will fuel climate change.
Not only is it infringing on Native American rights but this pipeline will quicken the demise of Planet Earth. This is bigger than politics.
For the last few years, a lot of people have expressed how much they miss President Obama, and I do miss some aspects of his personality and his presidency: an intelligent, affable, charismatic person who helped make marriage equality an acceptable idea for many, he signed the executive order for DACA. He invested significant political capital to enact the Iran nuclear deal, which staved off the threat of war with Iran. It was historically important to have a black person as president, too. Bin Laden was killed under his watch, so there’s that, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has some good aspects like providing protections for pre-existing conditions. He repealed Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell, too, and the stock market was far more stable in 2016 than it was in 2009.
However, there were plenty downsides to his presidency that we should consider. While he technically ended torture as an American policy, he increased drone bombing and bombed seven nations at a time in 2016 alone. He regime changed Libya illegally, leading to the country’s collapse, and attempted to regime change Syria in a fairly drawn-out, agonizing process. The Democratic Party lost Congress and countless state legislatures and governorships to Republicans under his watch, and he failed to leverage his movement for change after his election in 2008. I don’t miss his drive to enact the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a gift to corporations and a slap in the face to workers and democratic processes, either.
Moreover, I don’t miss him going easy on the Bush administration for committing war crimes or his expansion of the surveillance state or setting the precedent for killing American citizens without due process. He waited until the very last minute to intervene at Standing Rock, and he was behind almost 2 million deportations. He used the Espionage Act to crack down on journalists and leakers at an unprecedented level. He also failed to demand at the very least a public option in the ACA after endorsing a single payer system during the 2008 election. He made numerous corporatist executive appointments like Arne Duncan and Larry Summers. He let the big banks off the hook after the financial crisis. He proposed cuts to Social Security, and–relatedly–he had the tendency to negotiate from the center with Republicans who had no desire to negotiate in the first place. And while the stock market might have grown during his presidency, so did wealth inequality. Even though corporate profits soared, poverty barely decreased.
Obama began his presidency with the promise of transformational change. Eight years later, though, one could argue that any number of centrist Democrats could have replicated his legacy. Ultimately, I can understand why people miss him; I prefer Obama to Trump. I know people find his presidency inspiring, and I did, too, for a time. However, I also have no desire to romanticize the Obama administration. We need to look at his legacy soberly. If we do not, we will think that what he achieved is as good as we can get and that a return to Obama-era “normalcy” in 2020 and beyond will set the country on an acceptable track. It will not. America deserves better than the results of the Obama presidency.
This may sound strange on the surface but I’m PROUD of Shailene Woodley for her arrest. Civil disobedience and peaceful protest are things that MLK and Gandhi were praised for. Shailene doesn’t give a shit that she’s supposed to present a pleasant public personality. She sees the injustice in our government’s treatment of Native Americans and is using her celebrity platform to make sure the entire world sees it too.
Just wanted to make it aware, for those who don’t know, that Shailene Woodley was arrested a few hours ago for joining a peaceful protest against the Dakota Access Pipelines. She was arrested for being vocal about this problem; for protecting Mother Earth. She was arrested for Live streaming this incindent on Facebook, making millions of people aware. She is standing up with Native Americans, she was standing up for earth. Water is sacred. Water is life. Water is important. You can’t drink oil or money. I want to thank her for standing up and helping this movement and making it more than just a protest.
