Standing Rock Still Standing
Calling on the tribe to share this message and the debut of our Love Letters to God video far and wide today:Standing Rock is a dream. The epicenter for our morality and dignity. A place where dark and light communicate and they work it out.Standing Rock is a vision. The wildest manifestation of our ancestors. The heart of humanity and the blood of the Earth. Water.An elder said a true warrior always guards the heart of the women and for so long now we've forgotten about our mother. Earth is us, we are it. The ones that can heal a relationship that is wounded. The ones that pray over and over. Protect.Our oral history is vital for our survival and when we blend it with visual art it creates a bond, a prayer. This video is a sacred offering to those that are hurting. Because we must remember that love is the root of all good. Because by giving we open up to receiving. Healing.We offer this timepiece on a day that ushers in a new era for all protectors and people alike. An era that will need music to act as the thread between front lines and front doors.Stay in the prayer.We stand with you. For all our relations.Our support goes out to the independent media that has been on the ground at Standing Rock. Without them we would have been in a total black out. Their sacrifice allows us to see the truth. Thank you Unicorn Riot Desiree Kane AdaMedia Med Mera Dr0ne2bwild Photography & Video Indigenous Rising Media Dylan McLaughlin Tomas Karmelo Amaya Josué Rivas Fotographer
Posted by Nahko and Medicine for the People on Friday, January 20, 2017
Yesterday, 76 Water Protectors were arrested at Standing Rock, ND after setting up a camp on ‘private property’ to oppose construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Despite some “fake news” reporting, the new camp, known as “Last Child Camp”, was deconstructed peacefully. Among those arrested was activist and lawyer Chase Iron Eyes, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux.
Yesterday’s protest comes just days after President Trump signed an executive action to continue construction on the DAPL. Sidenote: Until recently, Donald Trump had a vested financial interest in Energy Transfer Partners, the lead company in charge of DAPL. Trump sold off his shares in the company in order to diffuse a possible conflict-of-interest as president-elect.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have been fighting tooth-and-nail for an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), and recently things have been looking up. The fear now is that the EIS will not be completed due to the president’s executive action. One might question why there already hasn’t been an EIS on such a huge, potentially hazardous project. One might also question the reasoning behind building a pipeline through Native land, directly underneath their source for fresh drinking water. Lastly, one might ponder why it was so simple for the residents of Bismarck, ND to have the DAPL re-routed away from their city. All that it took for these residents was some complaining (meanwhile, men, women, children and elders are taking rubber bullets to the body at Standing Rock and their requests still have not been met).
The biggest argument is over the ownership of land. The land belongs to the Standing Rock Sioux. Here is a definitive article with excellent information and cited sources which debunks any belief counter to this fact.
Watch the video at the top of this article. The song is Love Letters to God by Nahko and Medicine for the People. The video includes footage from the long, drawn out battle for Standing Rock. Water Protectors are disciplined and non-violent, and we are fighting for everyone. Mni Wiconi. Water is Life.
Stand Strong, Standing Rock.
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About the Author
Ken Cosentino Ken Cosentino is an artist from Niagara Falls, NY. He is an award winning filmmaker, CEO of White Lion Studios, LLC and a published author.
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