On December 4 – 8 Veterans for Standing Rock will march to “defend
the water protectors from assault and intimidation at the hands of the
militarized police force and DAPL security” in North Dakota. They will
stand to protect the citizens of our nation against forces which they
have deemed so outrageous as needing a direct response. Veterans of the
United States Armed Forces, e.g. U.S. Army, United States Marine Corps,
U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard plan to stand side by
side with water protectors on site. For them, it is a matter of honor.
Original image source: Bykst
The utilization of Facebook to rally the troops proves to be effective. The event, named Veterans For Standing Rock,
is that of former law enforcement officer Michael Wood Jr., and Wes
Clark, Jr., son of General Wes Clark. He makes no hedging about his
place.
“First Americans have served in the Unites States
Military, defending the soil of our homelands, at a greater percentage
than any other group of Americans. There is no other people more
deserving of veteran support.” – Operations Order, Veterans for Standing
Rock
This group got the green light of approval from Elders of the Lakota
Sioux, and plan to work in full cooperation with them every step of the
way. They face a situation that is beyond volatile. Preceding months of
engagement in this fight for water, they list mace, tear gas, sniper
guns, rubber bullets, attack dogs, LRAD deployment, and pepper spray.
But perhaps the most punishing and detestable shock was the now
infamous night November 20. Trapped on a bridge, water protectors were
allegedly barraged with rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons,
concussion and stinger grenades. Photographs, and live feed footage of
these attacks and weapons were covered by independent and mainstream
media sources.
Due to subfreezing temperatures, the use of water to force compliance
endangered the water protectors to very real risk of life. A statement
by the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council addressed the potential
for fatalities in this statement.
“As medical professionals we are concerned for the real risk of loss of life due to severe hypothermia under these conditions”
Among the injured was Sophia Wilansky.
Wilansky was bringing water to those caught on the bridge when she was
hit by an alleged police weapon. Police dispute this and support that it
was a weapon brought by the protestors at the site. The injuries to her
arm are so severe that they expect at least 20 surgeries in the fight
to save the limb. The confrontation also saw injury to one law
enforcement officer.
“authorities continue to defend our tactics.” – spokeswoman Maxine Herr, Morton County Sheriff’s office
Civilians are also called to come forward. They should read the event
page for specific information about what is to be expected at while at
the camps. Those going should be prepared for cold temperatures and be
reminded that they are there to serve with the protectors side by side.
It is likely they will arrive sometime around the same time as the The Bunk Bus.
The escalation of tactics of pain compliance as part of the overall
strategy of the DAPL, the Governor of North Dakota and the Morton County
Sheriff’s Department show no sign of stopping. Medics are needed, as
are medical supplies.
A registration is in place for those who intend to take part in this
historic decision to muster our nation’s veterans on a grass-roots
level. The form is located at Veterans Stand for Standing Rock – Roster.
To support the fundraising efforts, and coordinate your donations, visit Veterans for Standing Rock on gofundme.
The Standing Rock Youth’s movement against the
corporate, and armed, heavily funded destruction of their Sacred space
and their Spiritual rights and agency calls to the masses for support.
The hearts and hands of the world have followed their eyes as they react
to the actions that are taking place in the action zones of engagement.
Water protectors continue to see their ranks grow as sojourners from
across the continent arrive and stand in prayer with them against the
interests the jeopardize their water and destroy the graves of and
relics of the indigenous peoples in this region.
In the rush to be allies, there is a need to be mindful and aware of
the role that those who come to the site as allies play. In other words,
allies are to be there to aid and direct attention to the goals of the
Standing Rock Sioux. This means many things to many people, but the
facts of the matter are that allies do not seek to spiritually colonize
the movements they are there to support.
A public Facebook post by A. Nason, from Fort Yates, North Dakota hit this chord in such a way that it resonated to my very bones.
Back at Oceti Sakowin. What I’ve experienced today has been painful
and gross. White men took over the Indigenous lead direct action
training. I was talked down to again and again by non-Indigenous folk,
acting like they own the camp because they hold down their own tent.
Then there was a call for all available women at the camp to go to
the Spirit Fire for a meeting. Curious, I went. It was led by 2 white
women, looked like the usual type you would see at the festival circuit
or Burning Man. They made a circle and asked what “we as united women
feel united by under the goddess, because we’ve seen what men have been
doing and it’s so divided.” They policed how we talked, told us to not
talk out of turn and to hold comments for later. Another white woman
told the Fire Keepers, the men tending the spirit fire as it is their
traditional role, to “keep it down and stop talking, because women are
having a meeting.” My blood boiled, but I kept waiting. I had to walk
away for a bit, but when I returned an Oceti Sakowin woman was speaking,
and she felt the same pain I did. She told the women at the circle how
disrespectful they were being by not honoring the ceremonial request to
wear skirts, and that this is her home and make space for the other
Indigenous women from this land. She asked me to speak up after, she
could feel my energy.
I told the white women in this circle that they must keep Indigenous
women centered here, especially the women from Oceti Sakowin. And where
were the elders? Why aren’t our elders holding this? I told them how
colonized this felt, how by telling us Indigenous women how to speak and
when to speak that they’re perpetuating the harm that is continued to
be done to us. I said how gross this made me feel.
I’m disgusted by the Burners and same types at camp. I’m not
surprised that they showed up and are trying to take over our movement
and our ceremony, but I’m not any less disgusted.
Indigenous folks coming up, guard your heart and spirits. POC allies,
please hug us and love on us. We need it. White allies, collect your
people. Center us. Keep Indigenous women and two spirited people at the
center of this. Keep all Indigenous people in the main focus.
So, this is a letter to my Pagan folks and my neo Pagan folks, and my
spiritual folks, hell, my folks. Please understand and take your time
to read the following words repeatedly so that their meaning is not lost
on you.
No matter your race, nationality, color, gender,
politics, spirituality (Yes, I am looking at YOU my tree-hugging,
Goddess worshiping brethren and sistren), economic status, or personal
sense of entitlement, understand that this IS NOT ABOUT YOU OR WHAT YOU
WANT TO DO AS YOUR PERSONAL MISSION.
This is a divinely inspired movement by the Standing Rock Sioux that
has filled with miracles and signs at every step of the way, and our
personal ways and agendas have no place in the center of it. We are
allies, NOT the leadership. THEY, not WE, have set the tone and the
mores of this place in accord with THEIR society and culture. This is a
Holy movement, yes I believe it is, and it is not in need of
colonization and capitalization.
Let us remember what this is really about. It is not about “sticking
it to the man”. It is not about being an anarchist. It is not about the
counterculture. It is not about your Indigo this, or your Crystal that,
or how many Lynn Andrews books you have read. It is not about how many
Kenn Day seminars you have attended, or how many times your heart was
broken by the Bernie Sanders movement. To remember what it is about,
visit the original site of Rezpect our Water and read the letters there about how their drinking water is in imminent danger by this project.
BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE
If you are going to the camps to stand with the protectors, keep your
mind right. Be ready to spend hours in prayer. Be ready to do your fair
share of work. You are entering a society, not a hippie festival or an
anarchist camp. Get your hands dirty; be of help; bring a skill; bring
supplies if you can; do not seek glory, seek solidarity and prayer.
PRAYER
That is what is taking lead in this. Spiritual warfare is the way,
not hands and fists and weapons. Bring no weapons other than faith, and a
willingness to serve.
RESPECT
This is their home, their lands and their Ancestors. This is not a
photo opportunity. This is not a chance to get your continuing education
credits, or activist street credibility. Leave your ego in your
driveway. Respect the Traditions that are in place here and be mindful
of what it means to be a Stranger and an Ally.
DO YOU EVEN MAGICK, BRO OR SIS?
If you are a magickal practitioner, or Pagan, you may wish to brush
up on your manners. This is not a magical situation, but the book “Magickal Manners: A Guide to Magickal Etiquette”
by Puck Shadowdrake is a good place to look in your metaphysical book
shelf for a refresher about encountering other cultures and being a GOOD
PERSON, not a hot dog or a culturally insensitive shame-bucket.
Manifest that goal of aid, make sigils, use Andrieh Vitimus’ chaos book,
do something useful in your own Traditions.
EDUCATE
If you cannot go to the site, but want to manifest change, then do it
at home. Advocate, share posts, educate, and donate. Do circles and
coffee nights about the situation and brainstorm on what can be done by
those who are interested in assisting. Follow through on these ideas. Do
Magick! Pray! Repeat!
BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
When the People were blockaded from the DAPL site, an eagle appeared
and led them to an alternate route. When there was fire, the wind blew
AWAY from the camp all night til it was extinguished. A golden eagle
appeared and allowed them to approach and stayed for a while. The
Buffalo Nation appeared in great numbers to help the water protectors.
Canoes from several states made a route to render aid. Nations all over
the world have heard the call and the injustice and representatives have
arrived in great number on the lands where the Battle of Greasy Grass sought to extinguish this people.
DONATE AND RAISE MONEY
Donations of material support, cash, and supplies are needed. Travel
expenses, legal expenses, and the funding of projects directly involved
with this movement need continual support. Whether sending online
through a personal Paypal to any of the sites, sending medical supplies,
or natural healing aids, it is all part of the effort. If you can do
this, do so. Allies are everywhere, not just the front lines.
SING YOUR SONGS
Many have forgotten the power of Singing. The power of the words and
the emotions behind them can move mountains and melt stone hearts. They
feed the souls of the warrior and the midwife, the child and the elders,
the single and the group. Learn the songs, and use your own, write your
own, sing them and make the world hear.
RECOGNIZE WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING.
These are the times of miracles, wonders, leaders, and the making of
the new Mighty Ancestor stories. We do not have the right to take from
that. All we have the right to do is what is good, right, honorable, and
pure … as allies. We are not the stars of this story.
Remember that, fellow allies. Stand with the Standing Rock Sioux, not on top of them.
Miigs from a Soul Sister with Creek Nation ancestry.
