Our Indigenous Voices

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Repost from @theyoungturks reporter Jordan Chariton’s Twitter [link] 03/10/17, 6:41am CST

#NativeNationsRise

Beautiful drum circle! Everything about this is beautiful. See, people want to act like our protests aren’t peaceful but this looks pretty peaceful to me.

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Repost from journalist Alejandro Alvarez [link] 03/10/17, 7:52am CST 

At the front of the march here at #NativeNationsRise

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Repost from Senator Jeff Merkley [link] 03/09/17, 5:06pm

Ahead of #NativeNationsRise Indian March on Washington tomorrow, I was honored to meet with tribal leaders and activists to discuss how we can work together in opposition to #DAPL and in support of clean water and a livable planet. It is unacceptable that when a predominantly white community said that they didn’t want #DAPL running through their backyards because of the high risk of water contamination, it was instead rerouted through Indian Country—where it will not only pose an equal threat to drinking water, but also will disturb sacred sites. I applaud the brave activists who have led the fight to right this wrong and save our planet from the ravages of climate change – both at Standing Rock and now here on the National Mall. #StandWithStandingRock #NoDAPL

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Just in case anyone is caught up in mainstream media coverage of Standing Rock, the Oceti Sakowin camp was being cleaned responsibly and the burning of the structures was a respectful akcnowledgement of the sacredness of the camp. The eviction is taking place right now, with legal observers being arrested by police in full riot gear.

This morning, Indigenous Rising spoke with Darren Begay who has been managing the Navajo style structures at Oceti. He told us that as This forced evacuation grew nearer, he consulted with elders from his ancestral lands and they all agreed that based on the behavior of the law enforcement in the past, who during raids have broken and thrown away sacred items and who have shown disregard and horrible disrespect to tipis and sacred dwellings, it is best to burn these scared structures instead of having them desecrated by Morton County and North Dakota law enforcement.

Lighting our dwellings on fire is a sign of respect for them. It’s a sign of respect for the purpose they have served over these past few months. They have been containers for prayer and for brining people together. By lighting them on fire we send their smoke up like prayers. By lighting them on fire we ensure these structures go out in dignity.

Indigenous Rising Media

Photos by Stephen Yang and Scott Olson.