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

Transport to Teamwork

In a recent post, I highlighted an outstanding community leader, +Larry Fisher This past week he began fundraising for a fund called Transport to Teamwork He is raising money to purchase a vehicle for community building.

"Please assist me in reaching/mentoring the youth of Rhode Island and the surrounding areas by making a donation for my transportation. Currently, I am in an area where public transportation is unavailable and being that I work in a non-profit organization my salary doesn’t afford me the privilege of a vehicle. Here is where you come in; by donating you will help me purchase a vehicle to get to the following places:

I work with inmates at the Mass. Dept. of Corrections as an advisor

I am a court appointed special advocate for children (where I conduct weekly home visits)

I have been selected as an emergent leader by RI Foundation (I need to attend workshops, meetings, and trainings)

Thank you for your consideration, please give what you can:

If 100 family, friends, or generous people donate just $15 (fifteen dollars), I would reach my goal of helping young people by giving them an opportunity to have a stable mentor in their lives." -Larry Fisher  

Donate today and click on the link Trnasport to Teamwork Be sure to spread the energy by sharing this post and link! 

PRAY FOR OUR WATERS

I was bailing out a Mishoon at Plimoth Plantation

As indigenous people we protect the land and the water and have been doing so since we were created. As time passes in this society our strength grows as the battles become more and more complicated.

The strongest we are is TOGETHER.Northwest Tribal Canoe Journey's I have paddled and held protocol for communities here in the North Eastern Coastal region twice. I was not able to make it to the Qatuwas 2014 PEOPLE GATHER TOGETHER.

All over Native people feel the pain of the land and water because we are connected to them. One of the most powerful healing ceremonies I have ever experienced in my life is the canoe journeys. I was unable to make it this year; however, I have been following with canoe families, sent prayers and will be sending gifts.

Paddling through the Peconic Bay
(2013 Paddled From Shinneock to Pequot & Mohegan)

As a paddler I have experienced first hand the pain of the waters both PACIFIC OCEAN and ATLANTIC OCEAN. I have seen the red tide, the oil, the pollution of tankers, trains, boats, ferries, etc.

In Indian Country Today Richard Walker writes and very interesting read Canoe Journey Message: Protect Our Fragile Environment He states "Canoes from the Lummi Nation near Bellingham passed Cherry Point, a sacred and environmentally sensitive area where Gateway Pacific proposes a coal train terminal; early site preparation was done without permits and desecrated ancestral burials."  Talk about #IDLENOMORE we cannot neglect our environment.!!!!!!!!!!Remember to take the time out of our assimilated lives to honor what our ancestors fought for. This is the reason why WE NEED more presence in the water ALL OVER. When you are travelling by canoe your become more intimate with the environment. Our ancestors show us what we have failed to pay attention to.

Bryson (Quileute Nation) Sing Paddle song in Canoe Journey

To know that beaches are being shut down because of high bacterial count in the water should raise more than a few eyebrows. In recent news Rhode Island State Health Department  tells the public "State health officials have recommended the closure to swimming of six beaches in Rhode Island because of high bacteria counts in the water" These waters are sacred to our people. EAST COAST, WEST COAST, IN-LAND, MAIN-LAND, CREEK, RIVER, STREAM, POND, LAKE. We need to help heal these waters. I encourage people to start praying for the water.

Just paddled to Conscience Point Long Island
(2013 Paddled From Shinneock to Pequot & Mohegan)

More than often we go to the water to heal us, we cleanse ourselves in the water, we let all of our frustration and emotions go and release them into the water. It's time to take the strength the water has given us to HEAL THE WATERS ALL OVER. This is ceremony. Doing this individually together is powerful! Doing it together in our individual communities strengthens us as individuals to come together for our environment! We cannot be like the immigrants and their ancestors who have came here to continuously take from the earth and never give back! We must give back to the environment.  

Larry Fisher In the Light

+Larry Fisher 

I just wanted to highlight a humble community leader within our community. It's young men like +Larry Fisher who give the youth hope in their and our future.

 At 27 years of age Larry has been oppressed by post-traumatic stress from the constant unstable living experience in his youth, yet despite his environment he has managed to successfully overcome these obstacles. In his achievements he has focused on working directly with those that have had and are going through similar experiences.

He is now the Founder and CEO of "Kuweeqâhsun" Which is a business that focuses on creating programs that uplift the growth and development of our communities. He has held panel discussions and has even created and facilitated workshops that help people of all ages and races find methods of copping with post-traumatic stress.

+Larry Fisher 

 +Larry Fisher actively involves himself in his culture and has found a way to blend his culture with an urban society. Take for example two large cities in New England--Boston and Providence.

+Larry Fisher 

Currently, Larry is a Consultant for Program Development at the Rhode Island Indian Council (RIC) in Providence RI. www.riindiancouncil.org . The Department of Transportation of Rhode Island has awarded RIC the Seat belt Safety grant program. www.dot.ri.gov Through this program Larry has successfully coordinated events that have been reaching out to young men in the community between the ages of 18-35 that help to promote seat belt safety.

+Larry Fisher 

By working in collaboration with natives and non-natives to participate in 3 Point Shoot Out Basketball Tournaments to Open Mic Nights that have focused on the balancing of being Native American in today's society. (Which is one of  the greatest struggles our people face). It leads to identity issues,  substance abuse, broken relationships, or in nutshell cultural crisis. "Kuweeqâhsun" is the light to that darkness.

BE EMPOWERED BY HIS ENERGY 

AND BECOME APART OF THIS CULTURAL MOVEMENT!

IDLE NO MORE!!!!!!

Members of Shinnecock at the Flash Mob in
Washington Square NYC

Become apart of the movement
Spread awareness!

IDLE NO MORE
is an indigenous movement to raise awareness on indigenous issues by gaining attention through rallies and social media. What sparked this movement was Theresa Spence, the chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, who ended a six-week hunger strike on 01/24 The goal of Spence’s protest was to gain a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General David Johnston to discuss how to improve the conditions on native reserves. Through facebook, twitter, instagram and other platforms of social media almost every indigenous community in the nation has been involved in this movement. I was able to participate in this movement in New York City early January! The average “American” is clueless as to what Natives endure today let alone even know we still exist. The more awareness we can spread on indigenous issues the more we can continue to sustain our culture for the betterment of our future!!!!!!!!