When I first wanted to go to Dakota a part of me was afraid, would there be violence? Would I get arrested? Would I have to defend myself against a attack dog? I went anyway, supporting my fellow earth protectors was a must for me. Instead, it was a beautiful experience. I was sleeping in the passenger seat when we arrived to the reservation. I heard voices and slowly awoke to the national guard at my window. A young man in his 20's dressed in uniform greeted us to the reservation. I thanked him for his service, because I love seeing people love our country enough to defend it. "So far so good" I thought. It only became a better experience. People thanked us for the donated coats, blankets, sweaters, and ceremonial items. Each morning I would wake up at 7:30 and help with breakfast. Then go back at night to help with dinner and clean up. So many blessings did I witness. People enjoying camp fires late into the evening. Different tribes were camped out in groups and would do war cries. I asked the men I was with why the did not do a war cry. They said, "We can't compete". I laughed at that. One afternoon they set up a free hair cutting service. It was great to see young people, old people, middle aged all come to get a cut. At first they would not say much but after a while they had all of us laughing with their jokes. "Don't mess my hair up, I have a lady I am going to see at her camp later on." I would smile and they would blush. The last day I offered water to the spirit by the lake from a spring that runs under Lake Superior. I had to pray in front of everyone at the spirit camp. I was nervous but did what was put in front of me. When I looked up, a man had tears in his eyes. Another woman came and hugged me saying, "You mean so much". It warmed me inside. Sometimes going out of my comfort zone gives me new extraordinary experience. I worry about the damage we as a people do to the planet. Plastic contamination, liter, over population, depletion of natural resources, waste in land fills, ruining of forests and water...the list goes on. The only way I know how to change is by starting with me and teaching my children a different way. I don't have answers to how to be self sufficient and use no waste, but I can learn from others on how to make slow changes over time until it becomes a habit.