Ihanktonwan Warriors Stand with Standing Rock #NODAPL

     IHANKTONWAN WARRIORS 

STAND WITH STANDING ROCK #NODAPL

During my first visit to Standing Rock I reunited with close friends from the Yankton Sioux community from Lake Andes, South Dakota. It's been about 6 years since I last seen them. My friends Roger Houseman Jr. and Alphonse Leroy, were the men of the Ihanktonwan Sioux who taught this Northeastern Shinnecock woman the history about the Missouri River and their tribe's historical connection to their neighboring tribes. 6 years ago they took me throughout their lands and community. I lived in their community for several months.

As water protectors, we camped right along side the Missouri River. I must say I am blessed to have reconnected with them during this time. A time when the spirit of the Missouri River called on all who believe to be connected to the water to protect and stand in solidarity with Standing Rock against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

If you read my last post you will be able to read more about the events occurring at Standing Rock. PRAYER AND UNITY #NODAPL

Many of the men in this camp are working security of the entire encampment. There are over 7,000+ people in the encampment. This requires them to take long shifts outside away from shelter and fires many times. There isn't any cell service in the camps, so Roger asked me to help raise funds for their camp when I returned home. It's important we raise these funds to help keep them warm, and nourished throughout the entire winter. Without the security, our communities would not be protected and provided for properly. 

THANK YOU TO THE IHANKTONWAN WARRIORS for helping to protect and provide for the encampment of the water protectors. 

The Ihanktonwan camp has been set up since the first call for warriors to come and protect the sacred lands of the Oyate People, and they plan to be camped until the final ruling of the Dakota Access Pipeline is passed February 14th, 2017.

The money raised from is linked to a direct account for the Ihanktonwan camp. With the funds they will be able to more the purchases for their specific needs to help them get through this year's North Dakota Winter. 

Winters in North Dakota are harsh. Our priority is ensuring the safety of the people who will be staying throughout this winter. Shelter and protection is needed from the freezing weather. 

CLICK HERE 

The following is a list of what will be purchased from the funds raised.

Military tents
Wood Stoves
Canvas tents
Kitchen shacks
Snow boots 
Chainsaws 
axes 
arctic coats
arctic boots
arctic bibs 
liner jackets 
base layers
wool socks
face masks
heavyweight gloves
lightweight backpack
solar lighting
snow blowers
snowmobiles
generators
etc...

Prayer and Unity #NODAPL

"From the north a black snake will come. It will cross our lands slowly killing all that it touches, and in its passing the water will become poison."

-Lakota end of times prophecy

The environment in which we call "Mother Earth" is in need of our protection, and from her cry 10,000+ indigenous people came to pray and protect her from what is known to many of the aboriginal people of these lands as the "Black Snake"

Indigenous people from all around the world have come together to stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to resist to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). If completed, the $3.5 billion pipeline would carry 500,000 barrels of crude per day from North Dakota's Bakken oilfield to Illinois. The project faced months of resistance from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and members of nearly 300 more tribes across the U.S. and Canada. Mainstream media has not covered much of this historical event. If you are unfamiliar on this historical event taking please take sometime to research what is happening. 

Local and state police have used brutal force against this peaceful resistance. There have even been numerous arrests of innocent people without bail. Women and children were attached by dogs directed by a private security that the pipeline company hired. In addition, sacred sites and ancestral remains have been disturbed by DAPL and the indigenous people of the area have not been able to properly care for their ancestors.

“Water Protectors” have been camped in the valley alongside the Missouri River by the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Currently there are over 7,000 people in this encampment. As it gets colder the Seven Council Fires of the Sioux People with few visiting communities will remain until the final ruling on the Dakota Access Pipeline dated February 14^th, 2017.

As an indigenous woman to the aboriginal lands of this country,and a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, a tribe of first contact--my role is to sustain, nurture and give life to our traditional communities. After returning from a 2 week stay at Standing Rock, I was able to begin to strategic plan with several colleagues on building traditional winter structures and helping to secure the camps for winter in Standing Rock for those who are on the front lines protecting the water and mother earth. In my 2 week visit I was able to make a list of the urgent needs for the camps. With winter approaching there are camps who are not equipped with the right gear to get through the winter. North Dakota winters encourage all living in the state to prepare homes and vehicles for the winter weather.  

We are all in this together, and I am hoping to connect with organizations and individuals who are looking to work together and pull resources for the betterment of not only our culture but all our communities. 

DONATE TO HELP PREP FOR WINTER 

GO FUND ME