Updated 7/30/15 - it has come to my attention that explicit permission was not secured for each person who appears in this video. Just an FYI.
Showing posts with label First Nation Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Nation Issues. Show all posts
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Cleanup is done
Hi all, I just received this message from a friend who stayed until the end of cleanup.
*******************************
Just left the woods you can announce Clean up crew is out and we got raving credits from the FS. We even got invited back anytime and local Natives loved us and may decide to do a yearly Regional. Locals loved us and said come back soon, Natives are embarrassed at the two trouble makers and lots of work got done on the rez.....multiple times.
*******************************
Just left the woods you can announce Clean up crew is out and we got raving credits from the FS. We even got invited back anytime and local Natives loved us and may decide to do a yearly Regional. Locals loved us and said come back soon, Natives are embarrassed at the two trouble makers and lots of work got done on the rez.....multiple times.
Supporting Native Efforts Opposed to Keystone XL - July 26
Keep in mind, that opposition to Keystone XL is something I personally support. In no way does this blog post represent the rainbow gathering or other gathering participants. However, given that the universe pulled us towards South Dakota this year, I think that perhaps other gathering participants may feel called as well.
For details and contact info, click here.
Keystone XL Resistance March and Ride
Sunday, July 26 11 a.m. Fort Pierre, South Dakota
Meet
in Fort Pierre next to the Pizza Ranch at 11am MDT (12pm CT). Riders
both native and non-native will be leading us and we will ride and march
together across the bridge into Pierre to show our collective
resistance to tar sands and the Keystone XL pipeline. The march will be
followed by a water ceremony, concert rally, and a community feed.
For details and contact info, click here.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Other Reflections on the Black Hills Gathering
A friend of mine has a blog of her own. She was much more involved on the land than I was this year. She's put together her thoughts and photos on this year's gathering - click here to read and see what she has to say. (Read part two here.) (Read part 3 on oven building, here.)
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Summary of Treaty Issues in Black Hills
Click here to download the pdf. Please download and distribute freely.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Reflections on the gathering(s)
I am so proud of my family on the land in South Dakota, Michigan, California, Illinois and where ever else people gathered to pray/meditate for world peace and the positive evolution of the planet. You are my shining stars.
I think this year we realized how flexible and adaptable we are. The best part of the many gatherings was that people, who weren't used to focalizing or plugging into tasks, which need to get done at a gathering, had the opportunity to learn new skills. Thank you for stepping up and learning how to keep this hodge podge family safe and healthy.
The many smaller gatherings reduced the intensity of tasks such as parking cars, Shanti Sena, feeding the family, and helping us all stay healthy. With a slower pace, it's easier for newer family to learn, grow, and gain the wisdom this family needs to survive to the twenty second century. I know the conversations that we started this year will help us grown in positive and healing ways. I look forward to talking with my family face-to-face as we digest all that we learnt this year and hearing how the gatherings outside of South Dakota unfolded.
As a person who normally works her ass off at larger gatherings, I spent my brief stay in South Dakota visiting with family I have worked with for years, but with whom I never had the time to make personal connections. Such a blessing to laze away the afternoon of July 3 at the Ovens and Kid Village with old and new friends instead of dealing with Forest Service b.s., thousands of people coming in without appropriate gear on cold nights, or the craziness of the night of July 3rd.
While I've heard that all the regional gatherings went well, I'd like to share a few general thoughts about the gathering in South Dakota.
I arrived in main meadow on July 2nd just in time for dinner circle. I had time to hug some well-known friends before a Lakota man from AIM (American Indian Movement) spoke to dinner circle. He told those at dinner circle that the Lakota people welcome us to the Black Hills. He asked us to love and respect one another and leave the area in better shape than we found the land. He said we all need to walk hand-in-hand. He shared his hopes that this gathering was the beginning of a relationship between the Lakota and gathering participants which will continue. Afterwards, his niece said a prayer in Lakota for the gathering.
And so it went.
One evening in a lodge in main meadow, a Lakota grandmother shared Lakota stories and ways of living in the world. She told those present that the Lakota never lived in the Black Hills, but rather came to these hills to pray. She was happy that we had come to the Black Hills to pray and invited us to come to the Pine Ridge Reservation to see the poverty in which her people live. She also acknowledged that not everyone on the Rez was happy to see us gather in the Black Hills.
In a collaborative workshop, some of the younger First Nation family at the gathering shared a vision of gathering participants teaching some of the skills used to gather in the woods while being willing to share their knowledge as well. Two cultures coming together with much to teach and learn from each other. In fact, one Lakota brother wants to organize a Lakota focalized gathering in the Black Hills and invite us to come gather with them in the woods Lakota style.
In regards to the protests of our presence in the Black Hills, I heard from a friend who was in South Dakota from spring council on, that at the height of the protest, three people were set up off the side of the road before you got to the gathering parking lot. But this is her story, not mine, and I've asked her to write up her experiences at this year's gathering (which hopefully will be in the next few weeks and then I will post them here).
I heard firsthand how happy some Native individuals were to be treated with respect at the gathering. In fact one Lakota said in South Dakota, things operate akin to Mississippi in the 1940s and 1950s -- it's that segregated.
For those that gathered in the Black Hills and those that did not, there are a number of efforts in which First Nation individuals indicated they would like our help. While the gathering does not take a stand in issues such as these, many of us were asked to assist with some of the following issues. I take this time to share the information for those that would like to stand in solidarity with The Great Sioux Nation. Rainbow gathering participants have a long history of supporting native efforts in South Dakota. I hope non-Sioux can respectfully offer assistance in appropriate ways that respect the leadership of the Lakota and other native peoples in the area. So here goes, in no particular order. I hope you can plug into one of the efforts.
I was told that LastRealIndians.com would be a good way for people to plug into efforts in which gathering participants are asked to be present.
Family has been asked to show up at Rapid City's Memorial Park on July 22 and 23 to peacefully and soberly protest the court's failure to provide adequate justice to the Pine Ridge Rez children who were verbally assaulted at a hockey game in Rapid City in January 2015. In addition to verbal assaults, European-American adults poured beer on the children for failing to stand during the national anthem of the United States of America. For more information, read this or this. I don't know about you, but if an adult deliberately doused my 10 year old with beer, I would be unhappy to say the least.
If you're into other projects supporting the First Nation families in the area, some of the projects are here. You'll probably have to reach out to folks on the ground in South Dakota to get plugged into those efforts.
For those of you who have seen the films, Hempsters or Standing Silent Nation, you know that the federal government has refused to recognize Sioux tribal sovereignty and has prevented folks on the Pine Ridge Reservation from growing industrial hemp. Watch the films to learn the basics. Then sign the petition to respect Oglala Sioux Tribal hemp laws.
Support efforts to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier. Call President Barack Obama at 202-456-1111 and urge him to grant clemency to Leonard Peliter or sign this petition or this petition. If you're not up on his case, click here for the basics.
If food justice is more your interest, you can plug in with Plenty who is working to support organic gardening on the Pine Ridge Rez so families can have a local supply of organic produce. Someone whispered in my ear that this non-profit was started by counter culture folks from The Farm in Tennessee. Hippies doing good stuff.
As one of the Lakota grandmothers said to those on the land, Mitakuye Oyasin.
I think this year we realized how flexible and adaptable we are. The best part of the many gatherings was that people, who weren't used to focalizing or plugging into tasks, which need to get done at a gathering, had the opportunity to learn new skills. Thank you for stepping up and learning how to keep this hodge podge family safe and healthy.
The many smaller gatherings reduced the intensity of tasks such as parking cars, Shanti Sena, feeding the family, and helping us all stay healthy. With a slower pace, it's easier for newer family to learn, grow, and gain the wisdom this family needs to survive to the twenty second century. I know the conversations that we started this year will help us grown in positive and healing ways. I look forward to talking with my family face-to-face as we digest all that we learnt this year and hearing how the gatherings outside of South Dakota unfolded.
As a person who normally works her ass off at larger gatherings, I spent my brief stay in South Dakota visiting with family I have worked with for years, but with whom I never had the time to make personal connections. Such a blessing to laze away the afternoon of July 3 at the Ovens and Kid Village with old and new friends instead of dealing with Forest Service b.s., thousands of people coming in without appropriate gear on cold nights, or the craziness of the night of July 3rd.
While I've heard that all the regional gatherings went well, I'd like to share a few general thoughts about the gathering in South Dakota.
I arrived in main meadow on July 2nd just in time for dinner circle. I had time to hug some well-known friends before a Lakota man from AIM (American Indian Movement) spoke to dinner circle. He told those at dinner circle that the Lakota people welcome us to the Black Hills. He asked us to love and respect one another and leave the area in better shape than we found the land. He said we all need to walk hand-in-hand. He shared his hopes that this gathering was the beginning of a relationship between the Lakota and gathering participants which will continue. Afterwards, his niece said a prayer in Lakota for the gathering.
And so it went.
One evening in a lodge in main meadow, a Lakota grandmother shared Lakota stories and ways of living in the world. She told those present that the Lakota never lived in the Black Hills, but rather came to these hills to pray. She was happy that we had come to the Black Hills to pray and invited us to come to the Pine Ridge Reservation to see the poverty in which her people live. She also acknowledged that not everyone on the Rez was happy to see us gather in the Black Hills.
In a collaborative workshop, some of the younger First Nation family at the gathering shared a vision of gathering participants teaching some of the skills used to gather in the woods while being willing to share their knowledge as well. Two cultures coming together with much to teach and learn from each other. In fact, one Lakota brother wants to organize a Lakota focalized gathering in the Black Hills and invite us to come gather with them in the woods Lakota style.
In regards to the protests of our presence in the Black Hills, I heard from a friend who was in South Dakota from spring council on, that at the height of the protest, three people were set up off the side of the road before you got to the gathering parking lot. But this is her story, not mine, and I've asked her to write up her experiences at this year's gathering (which hopefully will be in the next few weeks and then I will post them here).
I heard firsthand how happy some Native individuals were to be treated with respect at the gathering. In fact one Lakota said in South Dakota, things operate akin to Mississippi in the 1940s and 1950s -- it's that segregated.
For those that gathered in the Black Hills and those that did not, there are a number of efforts in which First Nation individuals indicated they would like our help. While the gathering does not take a stand in issues such as these, many of us were asked to assist with some of the following issues. I take this time to share the information for those that would like to stand in solidarity with The Great Sioux Nation. Rainbow gathering participants have a long history of supporting native efforts in South Dakota. I hope non-Sioux can respectfully offer assistance in appropriate ways that respect the leadership of the Lakota and other native peoples in the area. So here goes, in no particular order. I hope you can plug into one of the efforts.
I was told that LastRealIndians.com would be a good way for people to plug into efforts in which gathering participants are asked to be present.
Family has been asked to show up at Rapid City's Memorial Park on July 22 and 23 to peacefully and soberly protest the court's failure to provide adequate justice to the Pine Ridge Rez children who were verbally assaulted at a hockey game in Rapid City in January 2015. In addition to verbal assaults, European-American adults poured beer on the children for failing to stand during the national anthem of the United States of America. For more information, read this or this. I don't know about you, but if an adult deliberately doused my 10 year old with beer, I would be unhappy to say the least.
If you're into other projects supporting the First Nation families in the area, some of the projects are here. You'll probably have to reach out to folks on the ground in South Dakota to get plugged into those efforts.
For those of you who have seen the films, Hempsters or Standing Silent Nation, you know that the federal government has refused to recognize Sioux tribal sovereignty and has prevented folks on the Pine Ridge Reservation from growing industrial hemp. Watch the films to learn the basics. Then sign the petition to respect Oglala Sioux Tribal hemp laws.
If food justice is more your interest, you can plug in with Plenty who is working to support organic gardening on the Pine Ridge Rez so families can have a local supply of organic produce. Someone whispered in my ear that this non-profit was started by counter culture folks from The Farm in Tennessee. Hippies doing good stuff.
As one of the Lakota grandmothers said to those on the land, Mitakuye Oyasin.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Update from the land July 6
This update comes from a friend of mine who was involved in the entire process. Reposted from her Facebook posts with what I am sure is her implicit permission.
Update from the land July 6, 2015:
Amazing, amazing gathering. So many seeds of alliance
planted with the Lakota. We had everyone from members of the treaty council and
regular tribal councils (Pine Ridge and Rosebud) to Grassroots AIM, traditional
grandmothers, and many others coming through and blessing our gathering. Many
of these even brought their children and camped with us. Traditional Lakota
prayer (in Lakota) happened before a number of the dinner circles ( from both
a traditional grandmother and a young granddaughter), workshops on Lakota
opposition to the Keystone Pipeline, creating a strong alliance between Rainbow
and the Lakota nation, and what we can do to help free Leonard Peltier happened
regularly. One of the grandmothers also told creation stories a couple of
different nights after dinner circle—all reports said it was amazing.
After the gathering a number of us are going out to an
elder’s place to help out with his garden and school. After that two whole
busloads of folks (Luv’n Ovens and Shining Light) are going out to help another
Necha with getting his grounds ready for a Sundance (building the arbor, a mud oven,
etc.). We might also help a third elder at Wounded Knee after that. We’re also
trying to coordinate a time when various practitioners from CALM can offer
their services on Pine Ridge as well (the logistics for this are still in the
works).
There are a number of other long-term plans in the works,
all involving strengthening the alliance we’ve now just created and seeing how
we can move forward and do amazing things together.
The gathering was small, but far more reverential and
respectful than any national I’ve ever seen. In fact, it was far more like a
World Gathering than a typical U.S. national. When push comes to shove, even
the Projects and Hobo Alley will pull together with the rest of us (and some of
them even picked up trash with us on Pine Ridge before the gathering). The 4th
was amazing—everyone was SO respectful and the silence was broken at just the
perfect moment.
This gathering wouldn’t have happened without the key
focalizing of the scouts, XXX, XXXX, our young Tocala
brothers (Lakota), XXX (Lakota/Northern Cheyenne), and the help of many
others. XXX from XXXX is making a documentary about how this
gathering came about, complete with interviews, audio of Spring Council, and
videos of key elders, members of AIM, the Treaty Council blessing us, etc. (all
filmed/recorded with permission). Those of you who are Rainbow and chose not to
believe in this Gathering—well, you missed out on an amazing thing. Those of
you who told others to boycott and/or spewed negative energy all over the
net—not only were you completely wrong, you merely served to make this a
smaller, more intimate gathering devoid of folks who do that very same thing.
Those of you who believed with all your hearts this was disrespectful to the Lakota
people—perhaps you should talk to REAL Lakota people out here, instead of
believing the internet claims of XXXX or XXXX and their very
organized and concerted campaign to make this gathering not happen. (And for
those of you who know those of us who were here during spring council, if you
can’t trust news from solid Rainbows here on the land, who can you trust?) And
for those of you believing XXX (XXX) XXX’s claims that this was going
to be another “Wounded Knee,” you were grievously manipulated. Not only did he
have no following, but the opposite happened—welcome was given from many, many
different sections of Lakota society, alliances were built, and both the
Rainbow and the Lakota have much to look forward to.
On top of all that, it was an AMAZING Gathering, full of
love, respect, joy, celebration, and new connections all around. The site was
extraordinarily beautiful, the weather quite mild (except for crazy hail during
seed camp), and beauty abounds
Friday, June 26, 2015
Updates from the Land 6/26/15
Updated at 7:50 PM 6/27/15 California Time. Sorry folks but I went to bed before everyone who is in SD was able to send me their comments.
Our confrontation with "hundreds of angry warriors coming to evict us" yesterday turned out, unsurprisingly turned out to be a protest camp on the turnoff to the gathering populated by only our regular detractor friends James Swan and Dwayne Martin aka Chanupa. We brought them some coffee and fruit salad.
The gathering is a few hundred people, things are getting set up slowly, the ovens are arriving, kid village is here.
There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Our fears were put to rest as soon as we got to the road and saw the reality of the protest.
There are more Lakota inside the gathering participating in what is happening than there are protesting on the road.
Some family from the gathering will be at today's events surrounding the 40th anniversary of Leonard Peltier's imprisonment. Click here for details. Click here for the video from Leonard Peltier Day.
Long and deep conversation is happening with those protesting the gathering onsite. Good communications are happening.
Illegal searches being done by USFS on the way in.
The NIMT is spending about $250,000 'on managing'... us but they do not spend any money on our cleanup - said on camera at USFS Public Meeting on June 26
I've heard there are a lot of threats out there. I just wanna tell ya'll that all is peaceful. The only "protesters" at the road are XXXXX and XXXX XXXX (XXXX ). Other than XXX's wife there doesn't seem to be anyone else with them. Not one person. They keep managing to spread this fear of some invasion, but really, we've been told over and over again that they have no following. They're not even welcome on Pine Ridge. On site everything is super peaceful. We have more and more native support and attendance. Real grassroots AIM members are gathering with us (not fake, blustery ones) and everyone from council members to traditionals and everyone in between seems to be positive about us right now. A video of support will be published momentarily.
Yesterday XXXX and I arrived in Hill City. It's beautiful here! We were eating ice cream at a little parlor downtown yesterday afternoon, when 2 forest rangers came in passing out fliers for the town meeting. They were very nice. I introduced myself as Grateful and one of the ladies touched her heart and said, " I am, too. Namaste." Then giggled and said, "and my name is Hilary." It was cute
We walked from our hotel to the meeting and there were signs up along the way that read "public meeting" with arrows pointing people in the right direction. The meeting was led by forest ranger, Craig Bobzien, and district ranger, Ruth Esperance. The local deputy sheriff was also there and he responded to some of the questions. I counted about 80 people present.
2 local news stations were present as well, rolling film during the meeting and interviewing both XXXX and XXXX. KEVN and News Center 1, which is the NBC for Rapid City.
The forest service began the meeting by stating that they have been working cooperatively with the Rainbow Family and that their goal is a safe and successful gathering. They did an overview of how the process works in choosing the sight location. Then they did an overview of the Operating Plan that has been put into place. They talked about the fire ban situation and explained with all the rain they've had here recently, and looking at a case by case basis, we have been approved for specific fires in our gathering site. They spoke of the daily visits to the gathering location by Resource Advisors to ensure we are in compliance with the Operating Plan. Then, they opened up the floor for questions. The following questions/concerns were addressed;
There was no one there representing the Lakota or Sioux Nation.
Forest rangers said if there is public interest for another town meeting, it will be scheduled in the near future.
XXX stood up and tried to more thoroughly address the concerns of latrines and online gossip of conflict, but they didn't really let her finish, stating the floor was open for questions, not statements. After that, XXX announced that the Family would be happy to answer any more questions after the meeting if people had interest. And they did! Many of us Family were approached by community members after the meeting and engaged in constructive conversation and answered more of their questions.
After the meeting ended, I walked around talking to as many community members as I could. I asked people what they thought of the meeting, if their questions were answered, what they thought of the gathering, etc. Out of at least a dozen people I spoke with, not one of them had anything negative to say. It was all positive and uplifting and many said they would like to come visit the gathering. I met one guys named Les, turns out he is one of the Resource Advisors making daily visits to the site. He was so happy to have the Rainbow Family as his assignment! He said he loves visiting the gathering and that we are bunch of, "really neat people."
As people left, XXX and XXX were handing out copies of Alway Free.
Overall I think everything is going well here. The vibe is peaceful and mellow from my experience so far
Kid Village on the land. About 500 people on site . Most folks getting pulled over are not at the site but in other areas enroute to the gathering.
Such cool things are happening. We're buying the bulk of our food from native-owned stores (though we have to drive super far to do it). Lots of native family are coming to the site, visiting us, and then saying "Wow! You're nothing like we were told you were!" (in the positive sense). The council member from Rosebud XXXXX and his brother XXXX (whom I totally esteem) came out, walked through our gathering and reversed their dismissal of us. After that more Rosebud folks came out and loved it--they'll be back to gather with us longer.
*****************************
Our confrontation with "hundreds of angry warriors coming to evict us" yesterday turned out, unsurprisingly turned out to be a protest camp on the turnoff to the gathering populated by only our regular detractor friends James Swan and Dwayne Martin aka Chanupa. We brought them some coffee and fruit salad.
The gathering is a few hundred people, things are getting set up slowly, the ovens are arriving, kid village is here.
There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Our fears were put to rest as soon as we got to the road and saw the reality of the protest.
*******************************
There are plans to build an Indigenous camp but it hasn't happened yet. So if you're heading into the gathering you can plug into this effort.
It will probably be a 'zero tolerance area' for drugs, nudity, etc. area.
********************************
There are more Lakota inside the gathering participating in what is happening than there are protesting on the road.
Some family from the gathering will be at today's events surrounding the 40th anniversary of Leonard Peltier's imprisonment. Click here for details. Click here for the video from Leonard Peltier Day.
**********************
Long and deep conversation is happening with those protesting the gathering onsite. Good communications are happening.
***************************
Illegal searches being done by USFS on the way in.
********************************
I've heard there are a lot of threats out there. I just wanna tell ya'll that all is peaceful. The only "protesters" at the road are XXXXX and XXXX XXXX (XXXX ). Other than XXX's wife there doesn't seem to be anyone else with them. Not one person. They keep managing to spread this fear of some invasion, but really, we've been told over and over again that they have no following. They're not even welcome on Pine Ridge. On site everything is super peaceful. We have more and more native support and attendance. Real grassroots AIM members are gathering with us (not fake, blustery ones) and everyone from council members to traditionals and everyone in between seems to be positive about us right now. A video of support will be published momentarily.
So please folks, there's nothing to fear. Come out, bring your love and respect, and pray with us on the fourth!
*****************************************
 |
| Gathering Site Map, click here for larger version. |
 |
| USFS Meeting |
*****************************
These comments are from a friend of mine who was in Hill City yesterday and attended the USFS meeting.
Yesterday XXXX and I arrived in Hill City. It's beautiful here! We were eating ice cream at a little parlor downtown yesterday afternoon, when 2 forest rangers came in passing out fliers for the town meeting. They were very nice. I introduced myself as Grateful and one of the ladies touched her heart and said, " I am, too. Namaste." Then giggled and said, "and my name is Hilary." It was cute
We walked from our hotel to the meeting and there were signs up along the way that read "public meeting" with arrows pointing people in the right direction. The meeting was led by forest ranger, Craig Bobzien, and district ranger, Ruth Esperance. The local deputy sheriff was also there and he responded to some of the questions. I counted about 80 people present.
2 local news stations were present as well, rolling film during the meeting and interviewing both XXXX and XXXX. KEVN and News Center 1, which is the NBC for Rapid City.
The forest service began the meeting by stating that they have been working cooperatively with the Rainbow Family and that their goal is a safe and successful gathering. They did an overview of how the process works in choosing the sight location. Then they did an overview of the Operating Plan that has been put into place. They talked about the fire ban situation and explained with all the rain they've had here recently, and looking at a case by case basis, we have been approved for specific fires in our gathering site. They spoke of the daily visits to the gathering location by Resource Advisors to ensure we are in compliance with the Operating Plan. Then, they opened up the floor for questions. The following questions/concerns were addressed;
- Latrines and preventing local water sources from becoming contaminated
- How do we shower in the woods
- 250k spent - national incident management team
- Concerns of increase in violence and crime due to influx of people
- Additional law enforcement presence in Hill City
- Contingency plans in place
- ATV road closures
- Who spends money and time on clean up
- Preventing non-paying guests in town from using bathrooms and showers
- Internet gossip of a conflict between the Rainbow and the Lakota
- Complaints of illegal searches and asked where these can be reported; this question was not answered. They could not provide any info on where to file complaints and said that there were only legal searches going on.
- Local business owners expressed its been good for business. Many spoke up and said they welcome the gathering, not a single person spoke out against the gathering.
There was no one there representing the Lakota or Sioux Nation.
Forest rangers said if there is public interest for another town meeting, it will be scheduled in the near future.
XXX stood up and tried to more thoroughly address the concerns of latrines and online gossip of conflict, but they didn't really let her finish, stating the floor was open for questions, not statements. After that, XXX announced that the Family would be happy to answer any more questions after the meeting if people had interest. And they did! Many of us Family were approached by community members after the meeting and engaged in constructive conversation and answered more of their questions.
After the meeting ended, I walked around talking to as many community members as I could. I asked people what they thought of the meeting, if their questions were answered, what they thought of the gathering, etc. Out of at least a dozen people I spoke with, not one of them had anything negative to say. It was all positive and uplifting and many said they would like to come visit the gathering. I met one guys named Les, turns out he is one of the Resource Advisors making daily visits to the site. He was so happy to have the Rainbow Family as his assignment! He said he loves visiting the gathering and that we are bunch of, "really neat people."
As people left, XXX and XXX were handing out copies of Alway Free.
Overall I think everything is going well here. The vibe is peaceful and mellow from my experience so far
********************
Kid Village on the land. About 500 people on site . Most folks getting pulled over are not at the site but in other areas enroute to the gathering.
***********************
Such cool things are happening. We're buying the bulk of our food from native-owned stores (though we have to drive super far to do it). Lots of native family are coming to the site, visiting us, and then saying "Wow! You're nothing like we were told you were!" (in the positive sense). The council member from Rosebud XXXXX and his brother XXXX (whom I totally esteem) came out, walked through our gathering and reversed their dismissal of us. After that more Rosebud folks came out and loved it--they'll be back to gather with us longer.
We have a couple of grandmothers with us, our young tocala members are awesome, and there's a great vibe throughout the camp.
Lots of folks coming out in the morning as well (including a treaty council who is happy we're here). Things are great here on the land. Ignore al rumors of violence and cancellation. They're totally bogus!
Love to all!
Lots of folks coming out in the morning as well (including a treaty council who is happy we're here). Things are great here on the land. Ignore al rumors of violence and cancellation. They're totally bogus!
Love to all!
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Stopping the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Keystone XL is a proposed tar sands pipeline that would connect Alberta, Canada with Gulf Coast refineries that would carry 800,000 barrels per day of tar sands oil across the United States to be refined, exported and burned.
Tar sands oil has a massive carbon footprint — sometimes requiring more energy to produce than it creates — and Keystone XL is the key to making burning that oil economically feasible.
The fight against Keystone XL has been powered by an unprecedented wave of grassroots actions, led by people from all walks of life, in every state in the United States — and beyond. For general information, visit 350.org.
As is the case with most environmentally damaging projects, big business tries to route the damage through poorer communities thinking they will get less resistance. Many of the reservations and sacred lands in South Dakota are in the path of this monster.
Watch this message from Native youth to President Obama.
I encourage you to learn more and support the children who are trying to save the land for their generation and the ones that come after them. For information on efforts to stop the Keystone XL in South Dakota, learn more by reading one of these articles:
Argues Leader Article
Lakota Voice Rez News
Indian Country Today
My hope is that the gathering in South Dakota helps gathering participants (no matter where they are gathering this year) to learn how we can support the people of South Dakota in this effort and that we can then take action to stop this atrocity against the earth, the First Nation people, and the children everywhere. Together we can make a difference.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Invite to Pow Wow After the Gathering
The more people that avoid the SD camp the more hate wins and shows
Duane and james can terrorize people just like ISIS does...BUT I have a
quasi novel idea....Im going to hold a small "Micro" gathering of my
own...not a official fam gathering...just me myself and whoever wants to
come out...timed to Co Inside with our Oglala Nation Pow wow so that
way everyone can finally come together in a good way and pray, play and
have fun...will be posting more info when I build a page for it but heres the dates and some info:
Oglala Lakota Nation Wacipi Rodeo Fair
Date: July 30-31& August 1-2, 2015
Location: Pine Ridge SD
Registration will open on Thursday
5 Grand entries will be held beginning on Friday
$10 Advance or $15 at the Gate
Contact: Kevin 605-867-8422
ALSO this would possibly allow the people going to Michigan to STILL be able to come through SD and see what the REAL Lakota are all about...
Take care of each other out there...
Oglala Lakota Nation Wacipi Rodeo Fair
Date: July 30-31& August 1-2, 2015
Location: Pine Ridge SD
Registration will open on Thursday
5 Grand entries will be held beginning on Friday
$10 Advance or $15 at the Gate
Contact: Kevin 605-867-8422
ALSO this would possibly allow the people going to Michigan to STILL be able to come through SD and see what the REAL Lakota are all about...
Take care of each other out there...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)