Send Us Back to Standing Rock

Greetings!

Many thanks to all who have contributed thus far. We have enough funds to purchase airfare in the New Year for our return to Standing Rock to continue our efforts of provding Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine as volunteers of Global Alternative Health Project (GAHP).

Any funds received from now (12/16/16 until our return) will be donated to the Medic and Healing Council of Standing Rock/Sacred Stone.

FAQ’s

Who are you?
-Please feel free to inform yourself and view our website, and the organizations we are volunteering with:
www.acuwithoutborders.org
http://www.evolvehealthnyc.com/who/jen-resnick/
www.ioftheneedlewellness.com

How does the news from Sunday, Dec. 4th, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline (to cross under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe, just north of the encampments at Standing Rock), affect your return?
-This is an amazing moment for the Water Protectors, some say a victory -- but is by no means the end of their stance to protect the land and water. The Corps denied the easement and ordered an Environmental Impact Statement, which is a formal study which will compare various route alternatives. Dates to come are important.  January will be another big hurdle, with the upcoming presidential office turnover, the court hearings, and the remaining Water Protectors at Camp.

Chairman Archambault asked people to leave Camp, Chase Iron Eyes asks those who are prepared to stay to remain. Why are there confusing message?
-In November and leading up to the Veteran's arriving to Standing Rock early December, there was probably close to 15,000 people at camp. Then the blizzard hit and people had to be evacuated or leave because they were not adequately prepared for the harsh North Dakota winter. Donation deliveries overflowed and backed up at holding sites, peopke were experiencing mild hypothermia, and a hold on all building of yurts and encampments had to placed because it was just oo dangerous outside to keep working. The Chairman was concerned for public safety and the stress of the increased population on the town and reservation resources. Much now is left to be settled in court. However, people are still on the ground, keeping watch and maintaining peaceful and prayerful vigilance.

How many people are still at Camp? What will you do when you return? 
-Around  2,500 remain at Oceti Oyate (previously known as Oceti Sakowin), Sacred Stone, and Rosebud combined. We will continue to work with the community to provide alternative healthcare and services of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Right now we are relieved that there is a Global Alternative Health Project (GAHP) Volunteer Acupuncturist committed to remaining at camp through the month of December. People are being cared for and treatments are being administered to boost their health and immunity! Because of all the donations, GAHP and AWB were able to erect a fully functional, warm and safe space for healers. There are multiple stoves, subzero sleeping bags, and supplies.

It is truly amazing to know that we are welcome to return to the yurt through the efforts of Jen Resnik, L.Ac of GAHP and AWB. We will be able to treat, sleep, cook, and prepare herbs upon our return at the Rosebud Camp of Sacred Stone. Our agreement to volunteer is not limited, whether than means supporting a clean up effort to pack out what we packed in, providing Acupuncture and herbs, standing in as the “village doctor” or making rounds through the camp for health and safety - we will do all that we can. We hope to form deeper connections with the people of Standing Rock, so that we can continue to support the community.

Do you have permission to be there?
-Yes, under the umbrella of GAHP, the tribal council has granted us permission to support the people of Standing Rock and provide them with wellness and first aid, as long as we adhere to their cultural sensitivity guidelines and closely work with indigeneous traditions of plant based medicine.

What will you do with the money you have raised?
-We plan to buy 2 airline tickets ( for Naike, and Amy), rent a car if necessary (one capable of driving in North Dakota snow), possibly stay at the Prairie Knight Hotel 1 or 2 nights if we need to freshen up, shower, and recollect ourselves. All of our services will be provided at no cost. That includes acupuncture and herbal remedies. Over$1000 from this campaign has already been donated to the Lani Running Bear of the High Star Camp of Oceti Oyate. She prepares the meals and is one of the matriarchs of the camp who helps makes sure many needs are met.

Thank you!


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OUR PAST STORY:

Many of you may know that we have been to Standing Rock, North Dakota. But some of you may be reading about this for the first time. I would like to share some small parts of our journey east, in hopes of imparting a piece of this struggle that moved us. We felt called to go, but we now need your help to return.

Over Thanksgiving aka the National Day of Mourning, Naike Swai, L.Ac, Katrina Cohoe, Herbalist, and myself, Amy Hastanan, L.Ac, LMT, drove almost 3000 miles roundtrip to Standing Rock, ND traversing through Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, to finally reach Standing Rock Sioux Reservation via the southern route on HWY 1806.

Within our 5 days, 4 were spent traveling by car! Little over 24 hours was delegated between the 3 camps (Sacred Stone, Rosebud, and Oceti Sakowin). We paid for our own gas, lodgings, food, and gave our services freely. We delivered all that you gave us and set the ground for the Winter Acupuncture Clinic/Healing Yurt.

Your past donations, (which we carried to Standing Rock and physically delivered) included:

-over 15 articles of snow pants and winter jackets, gloves and hats
-first aid/medical supplies
-acupuncture supplies of needles, sharps containers, tools of the trade, herbal remedies and moxibustion
-feminine hygiene products
-a load of firewood
-propane space heater to heat the tipi’s while we treat
-multiple propane tanks to keep in stock
-3 treatment tables
-beautiful woven blankets
-solar charger, battery packs and USB portals
-Katrina Cohoe compiled a large bin of over 20 different bulk dried herbs that treat gastrointestinal and respiratory issues, while boosting general immunity.
-bin of high quality food for patients and practitioners
-approximately $1500 that we contributed to the Winter Acupuncture Clinic/Healing Yurt at Rosebud Camp and to the kitchen of High Star Camp

We have decided to return to Standing Rock, as the weather improves (temperatures above 0 degrees). The road conditions are too dangerous for us this time of year to attempt the mountain crossings again in our 2004 Toyota Rav4. Everything is already set up in the clinic and awaiting acupuncture and herbal volunteers. The Healing Yurt in Rosebud is staffed from today through December. To provide continuity of service we intend to fill any gap into the New Year.

We are volunteering with Global Alternative Health Project (GAHP) and Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB), non-profit organizations we have both worked with before. We will provide first aid, trauma relief, acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage to the Water protectors. Winter conditions are harsh. Our treatments will boost immunity, treat the symptoms of the common cold, cough, pneumonia and manage pain.

Many of you have voiced your support of our efforts and reached out to us upon our last return. We realized that going back to Standing Rock to continue our work is the most valuable contribution we can offer.

Thank you!

Mni Wiconi

Water is Life (for everyone)

Standing With Standing Rock

NODAPL


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