The Duration at Standing Rock

I have been in Standing Rock North Dakota for one month and one day. I came here to stand with those Protecting the Water. I am a 36  year-old marketing and communications professional and recent graduate of The Evergreen State College. 

I left Olympia Sunday October 23rd and stopped in Boise, Idaho to see my family and some friends before heading into North Dakota arriving on October 28th between the arrest of 141 people when the Treaty Camp was taken. The night I arrived the Backwater Bridge was blockaded and has remained blocked since. 

 

Saturday October 30th I took the Penske truck up to the Treaty Camp, one of 3 vehicles admitted, to help collect cultural artifacts and the Medical Center. The load mainly consisted of two yurts, the better part of 3 tipis, and as much of the medical gear as 3 people could grab. On our way into the camp we were held at a police checkpoint for an hour, then escorted into the camp by about 16 vehicles. The day was spent being monitored closely, and ended with DAPL employees sitting 12-20 ft behind us as we loaded the last tipi poles as fast as we could. 

Since that day, each day has brought a new experience, a new lesson, a new task or series of tasks. I cannot imagine where else to be right now, so I am asking your help to stay through the duration of this.

Any funds collected that I do not use for these above-stated purposes will be given back to the Oceti Sakowin Camp (nearest the front) for logistical costs, or to the Medical Center that has been started which I'm collecting donations for. I'm now helping with communications, as it's possible to do so.






I came here to put my body where my words are, demonstrating my respect for humanity… and belief in nonviolence—to face those armed forces our system of oil and money uses, to continue enforcing business as usual. I stand with Standing Rock, with the thousands of #Protectors who have gathered there peacefully to protect the #Water, because water is essential to life. The the water of thousands of people on the reservation and 10 million people down the Missouri River are at risk.

The waters of the Pacific Northwest are at risk too. Every port in this region is facing one fossil fuel interest after another, including coal, oil, liquified natural gas (LNG)(which comes from fracking), and methanol. None of these forms of energy, or petrochemical products such as plastics and explosives take human life into account. All of them threaten the environment and humanity in one form or another.

If you choose to contribute any amount to my small part in this larger journey, to support those who have sacrificed so much already to protect the waters and bring awareness to the many environmental and social injustices happening all the time, I send you my deepest gratitude. Thank you in advance for considering this form of support.