Jessi Kristine Photography

[jessikristine]

While I am stuck in white suburbia, I’ve been thinking of camp. I’m starting to feel settled and bored. The sites and sounds here are just noises and distractions to me. Nothing special. Nothing important. I’ve been missing being surrounded by people who feel and think like me. The same people who fight the same fight. The same people who share a related passion in life. They are the same people who are from different backgrounds but have come together to stand as one. I miss meeting these new people, hearing their songs, and learning their cultures. But most of all, I miss the love, respect, and power of these people. Oh, how I long to go home...

[jessikristine]

Good conversations with a wise soul can change your entire day. Thankful for friendships like this. This wise soul is Gene Black Crow from the Pine Ridge Rez area in South Dakota. We met on camp on Standing Rock Rez in North Dakota. We text every few days to catch up and talk about future plans on the Rez. I can't wait to meet up with him again.

[jessikristine]

DAPL. Most people won’t know that it means or represents. For those of you who have been blinded by the ridiculous election, Dakota Access Pipeline (a.k.a. DAPL) is the pipeline that will one day destroy our lands and waters throughout the midwest and the states that are located next to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. DAPL cuts through crops, pastures, sacred lands, and beautiful landscapes. The images above shows just that. The pipeline is being built right through farmland where cows graze. All of which will be contaminated and destroyed once it burst, and it will burst at some point, and that means family farms will lose money in crops and livestock. It will also mean that families will lose precious drinking water from the rivers.

Those of us alive, right now, have been raised by generations that do not give a shit about future generations or the earth. They have taught us to be ignorant, selfish, and greedy. Don’t believe me? Look at how the older generation in charge acts. I mean we have complete IDIOTS running for President and even bigger idiots backing them up. And we have complete IDIOTS running corrupt corporations that suck money away from people who need it more.

Now, my rant can go on and on about how terrible the world is, but what good would that do? Absolutely nothing. What does matter is educating and encouraging people, especially our youth, to become self-aware and to take action against those who have run our world into the ground. Change is hard. Change will take time. Change is possible. Unfortunately, we won't see it in our lifetime. But, that doesn't mean we shouldn't start it. 

[jessikristine]

Take me back to a place where I belong... 

Since I’ve been back in IL I have had this feeling of displacement. A feeling of uselessness. I know I do not belong in this small town of like-minded people who choose not to do more or to be a part of something greater. I’m starting to long for camp life, for my family, and for the strength and peace that radiate from the people on camp. 

I go about my days constantly worrying about everyone back on camp. How are they doing? Are they warm? Is there enough food? How are the kids doing? How many people have infiltrated the camp? These are the questions that I think about as I work pointless jobs just to pay the bills. And I often wonder how and when will I make it back to camp. I absolutely hate how money plays such an important role in our daily lives. But, being on camp that doesn’t matter and people willingly give others all that they can. There is a freedom that comes with living on camp. It’s a freedom that I want.

[jessikristine]

NODAPLing

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Camp life at night. Not the greatest at night photography, but I at least tried.

[jessikristine]

Camp life. And dropping temps. 

All I can say is that the Defenders of the land and water are BADASS. These people have adapted to the weather, especially the dropping temps, like true warriors. 

Illustration by Hayley DeTerre https://www.instagram.com/deterrified/?hl=en

[jessikristine]

[jessikristine]

Home. That’s What Sacred Stone Camp Feels Like.

You can feel the peace, strength, and love of the people immediately once at Sacred Stone Camp. Everyone is family. Even those who haven’t met yet. That is the mentality of the culture behind the camp and those who live there.

Everyone at Sacred Stone Camp has been truly amazing and it has only been 2 days. And that is the honest truth. The Defenders and Protectors have been so welcoming and helpful; they always welcome people by saying, “Welcome home.” And that’s exactly how it feels like, home.

Camp life has been an adjustment, but an easy one. While coming here was slightly nerve-racking, due to being over 850 miles from home, not knowing what to expect, and like a million other things, I immediately felt at peace once I was here. There is a strong feeling of unity once you arrive at Sacred Stone Camp. I’ve never felt so welcomed, or like I’ve belonged in a place or with a group until now. It is truly starting to feel like home to me.

The Defenders and Protectors that I’ve met, so far, have been incredibly helpful, from setting up camp, explaining the rules of the camp, and open to talking about anything and everything. I’ve already learned so much. I even learned some Lakota; “Háu, Jessi emáčiyapi kštó.” “Philámayaye.” “Híŋháŋni.” And their stories of their life are so moving I can’t find the words to describe how I feel. I am truly thankful for this experience and the time that I have with them at Sacred Stone Camp. And I can’t wait to share more from this experience.

Xoxo,

Jessi Kristine

P.S. Philámayaye (thank you in Lakota) to all of my supporters and donators! I wouldn’t be out here if you all didn’t have an open heart and a willingness to help. Philámayaye.