USFS Meeting Regarding Rainbow Gathering June 26

U.S. Forest Service officials will host a town hall meeting to answer any questions about the upcoming Rainbow Family Gathering in the central Black Hills.

 The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club at 297 Walnut Ave. in Hill City on Friday. Forest Service and a National Incident Management Team personnel will present an update of the current situation, provide background information and answer questions from the public.

The Rainbow Family is a loose knit group of people from across the country that each year holds a large gathering for two weeks in a national forest. This year, the group has selected a site near Deerfield Lake southwest of Hill City.

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.

Updates from South Dakota June 23

Post updated at 8:30 AM on June 24 (Cali time)
These are updates from friends of mine who are on site, reposted without names.  The I is not me.

****************************************

I'm passing on news from the land in the Black Hills. My name is XX. I am XX partner. She has been at the seed camp and now on site. She has been to all of the councils since mid week last week. She asked me to share some of her insights. I am doing this from memory so details may be slightly rearranged.

The process of gaining trust & acceptance from the Lakotas has been intense but rewarding. There has been a group of young Lakotas staying in camp. They have expressed a desire to experience our process of building and maintaining infrastructure for large gathering so that they may be able to apply it to their own events such as the Sundances. They have been supportive and consider themselves to be cultural bridgers.

Apparently there was two agro incidents at the week of councils where a Lakota man spoke from anger on different days. That was two negative voices over many days of process. It seems that there are respected elders that are open to the gathering. The majority of the interaction has been welcoming. The young people have asked for a few Rainbows to meet their grandfathers and grand mothers at their homes on the res. Feather has been involved in this outreach and today a group of Rainbows agreed to join in a work party to clean and maintain the Pine Ridge pow wow grounds.
There is interest in elders and locals joining the gathering so there is plans to set up an elders camp where they could be and be tended to.

It looks to be a small gathering. Hundreds instead of thousands. At this point the LEOs nearly outnumber the Rainbows. I have heard that they are being intense and I have heard that they are pretty mellow. Depends on who you talk to.

If you choose to go, leave the alcohol and drugs out of it. This is a different kind of a gathering where we are guests of a host and it is important that we quickly learn what is considered respect and what is not.

It has been an uplifting experience so far from X's perspective.

I'm throwing in my own impressions from afar at this point. It seems that this is what many in Rainbow have been saying we need to do in order to better cooperate on a larger scale with indigenous people all over this continent but especially in the northern plains. The young people are interested in finding people with skills and knowledge in permaculture and food forests and feel that our culture would likely have those minds available. They are right. They are also struggling to keep the XL pipeline out and suffering from abuses of water and land from logging and mining.
Many of us are of like mind and this may give us an opportunity to do some meaningful work that builds trust and sharing between our cultures. We are all aware on some level that we need to work toward regenerating the lands of the entire planet. These people have such a spiritual perspective of the land many of us have aspired to such a belief system. We need to find what we can do to do that work. The people on the ground in the Black Hills on both sides of the cultural divide are doing that work.

I feel that XX and XX and the others that have been working on this outreach should be applauded for taking on such an epic challenge. It is important work

*********************

Picture from site #1

Picture from site #3

Picture from site #2

**********************************************

Lakota are helping us build Indigenous camp, with workshop spaces to teach about native culture. Today the Shining Light Kitchen bus took a dozen volunteers to Pine Ridge at the invitation of the res, to help clean up their powwow space and bring back Oglala folks who lack transportation but want to see our gathering.

***********************

As many of you know, a group of us went out to Pine Ridge today and cleaned up a park and playground and finish the clean-up of the pow-wow grounds. We had folks ranging from 6 years old to 67, from first time gatherers to folks who started in 1972. Over 30 bags of garbage were delivered to the dump. Once we were done we delivered a donation of food (courtesy of Shining Light Kitchen) to a Necha (traditional family leader) for him to use in his upcoming Sundance.

While we were with him I asked him about some of our more troubling rumors, for example, are today's council members traditionals or "paper indians" (someone on the council for money, not for what's good for the people). He said that many of the council members are traditionals, but that the political system they have doesn't work for them and makes it almost impossible to be of service to the people. He said there is no "war" between "paper indians" and traditionals over the rainbow gathering. The rumor was that the paper indians were saying "yes" to us while the traditionals were saying "no." Once again, yet a different Necha says this isn't the case. It's only a couple of people with a couple of followers. This Necha even mentioned he might come out for the 4th. We're also thinking about arranging a day for us to come back out and help him get his Sundance grounds ready.

(To be fair, Duane Martin (Chanupa) did manage to get the signature of one elder onto his paperwork, but no one's been able to confirm that signature--this particular elder has been in the hospital the entire time). Given the ludicrous amount of negative rumors this year (and the even more ludicrous amount of people believing and spreading them), we've been trying to fact check everything, and this particular piece hasn't been verified.)

Either way, if you're writing or forwarding negative stuff about this gathering and have not talked to ACTUAL first nations people who claim this land, you're ONLY creating senseless negativity, feeding the trolls, and dividing our Family. Period.

*************************

We have spoken to many respected elders. They all either welcome us or are neutral. We have spoken to two old native people who are not respected among their community. They create relentless Internet opposition.

The land is amazing! The gathering is amazing. Our prayer for peace is encouraged by everyone we've spoken to. The people who are not on the land, who have not spoken to the elders, who have not spent the time to go to the reservation and learn the tribal politics, and again--THOSE WHO ARE NOT ON THE LAND, HAVE NO IDEA WHATS GOING ON. If you would like to know how well everything is going, how intense the whole experience is, how mutually beneficial this is, contact someone in the land. The Internet is being coopted by agent provocateurs and misinformants and even well intentioned people who are parroting things they do not understand. Many people have come to see us, locals and natives. Everyone except Dwane Martin is very kind and welcoming. Dwane is not even welcome on the Rez and many people have mentioned despising him. They often just laugh when they hear about James Swan. That's the simple truth. All the elders tell us some version of, "you guys are praying for peace, why would that be more objectionable than uranium mines and KXL?"

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...

Why I'm Sad

I understand that family are concerned about this year's gathering. More rumors than facts are swirling around and folks on the land (in what ever state that is) are doing good work to create a safe and peaceful gathering. The situation online is awful and disheartening. 

What is breaking my heart is the mean-spirited way in which family is addressing other people online.  I had to take most of yesterday off from dealing with this as I couldn't see clearly and with respect for all people. Why do we speak this way to each other online when we treat each other with so much more love and respect when we can touch each other?  I think everyone online needs to go take a walk in the woods, the canyons, or the beaches -- whatever is near you.

Is this what the way of peace looks like?  I am so disappointed in so many of you.  Why are we not practicing ways of Creating Peace online?

We are strong willed family, but perhaps now is the time to stop talking and go do what every it is you feel in your heart is the best thing to do, in what ever state is in your heart to go to, with what ever people you feel in your heart to gather with and create peace. 

Can we all just take a break, meditate, pray, practice yoga or what ever it is that helps you ground your energy?  We need you, but we need a calm, focused, and grounded you.

Om shanti shanti shanti

We, who are brothers & sisters, children of spirit, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves the rainbow gathering, humbly invite:
All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals -- out of love.
All nations & national leaders -- out of respect
All religions & religious leaders -- out of faith
All politicians -- out of charity
to join with us in gathering together for the purpose of expressing our sincere desire that there shall be peace on earth, harmony among all people. This gathering to take place July 1-7, 2015, in the sacred Black Hills of occupied Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho territory & to hold open worship, prayer, chanting or whatever is the want or desire of the people, but upon the fourth day of July until noon to ask that there be a meditative, contemplative silence wherein we, the invited people of the world may consider & give honour & respect to anyone or anything that has aided in the positive evolution of humankind & nature upon this, our most beloved & beautiful world -- asking blessing upon we people of this world & hope that we people can effectively proceed to evolve, expand, & live in harmony & peace.

Please be respectful of the First Nations' land, culture, and spirituality. Indigenous people have asked us not to imitate indigenous cultures.

We love you!

Updates from South Dakota June 22

Posted at 9:15 PM June 22 California Time based on information gathered in the last 24 hours.

If you are lost, please go to the Hill City Visitor Center. They can provide good directions.
23935 Hwy 385, Hill City, SD 57745 or call  605.574.2368

Forwarded message from a friend on the land.

All of the people we talked to on Pine Ridge were open and welcoming. They, too, are concerned by this incredible negative barrage of press, but they're still open and welcoming.
For those of you telling others to Boycott--Barry and others: Have you talked directly with any Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Cheyenne, or Arapaho or are you advocating for them because of the internet? We on the land are in constant dialogue with the First Nations people here. We have tocalas here to make sure we're not doing anything in a bad way (cultural appropriation, etc.), have been asked to stay by many, and are meeting respectfully with war chiefs (that just happened today). How many verifiable First Nations people have you boycotters actually talked to? Do you realize how much Duiane Martin (Chanupa) and his followers are actively lying about what's going on? That (according to a friend of mine--I haven't had time to peruse FB) many new FB accounts (those with few friends) have suddenly turned up on Rainbow pages claiming to be first nations? Are you aware that there's a CONCERTED campaign to malign the gathering that you're now full-heartedly participating in? If you really cared, wouldn't you come and listen to what's being said by the people themselves?

I say again to all strong-hearted, respectful family--this gathering is happening. It's wanted--not by paper indians (who actually said "No!" to us), but by traditionals and many others. There are many concerns, but we're working through them with full hearts.

That being said, here's rumor control:

1. Regardless of fake videos, COPS WERE NEVER CALLED ON CHANUPA (Duane Martin)

2. "Fuck the treaty council" was not said by anyone

3. No one is blocking any gate and no one has seen any "activists" that are supposed to be shutting us down. (Though thanks to this rumor we have a ton of LEO's sitting at both gates trying to "protect" us. That's actually the worst thing I've seen at the site.)

4. There is a rumor going around that "paper indians have told us we could stay. This is false. The council members who the scouts met with last Monday were tribal council members (i.e. "paper indians") and they told us we could NOT stay.

Still to this day no traditional leader has said we should not be here. Many have said it's not a problem. Some have said it's a good thing. That's how it stands.

All is peaceful on the land.

If you were thinking of coming and have a desire to create alliances with our native brothers and sisters, then come home! Some of these traditional tocala (warrior society) brothers are putting themselves on the line for us to be here. I, for one, stand behind them until we have word from a traditional elder, the treaty council, etc. that we should leave. (At that point the tocalas will leave too).

******************************

First off, some of us went to the res yesterday and met with a Nacha who leads sundances on Pine Ridge. He asked us for three things, two of which I will mention here:
1. To help to free Leonard Peltier
2. To get the Black Hills returned to the First Nations peoples

(the third thing people here on the land can take care of)
He asked us to walk our talk. He said we could talk for months and nothing could change, but he's willing to give us the chance to walk our talk.

********************************

Everything at the camp is good, transportation to and from the rez is being arranged, as well as kitchens supporting local businesses by purchasing food. 6 tipis are being assigned for indigenous educational workshops. reserved parking for indigenous families ad handicap, closest to the gathering site. A ponca representative came to hold a peace council on behalf of the indigenous opposition, he left seeing nothing wrong ethically.

The Lakota delegation represents the youth, the next generation, the children to the on coming era. For too long we have became silent, watching older leadership bring nothing but tactics that are ineffective to the liberation of our Indigenous peoples. The enemy of our enemy is our friend. Our enemy does not want us to be friends. We want our black hills backs, the rainbow are skilled in critical mass and family oriented enclaves. The time is here. Love.

Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, June 23

On   Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. there will be a community meeting for local residents to learn more about the gathering, ask questions, bring up concerns and/or problems.  Gathering participants will be on hand to answer your questions. I'm guessing the United States Forest Service Incident Command Team will be there as well.

The meeting will take place at the Hill City Senior Center across the street from the 1880 train station at  227 Walnut Ave., Hill City, South Dakota 57745.

For family that are going into town, please be respectful to the local community, shop in the local stores, and meet someone new.