Oceti Sakowin Fire Keeper Fund

The man pictured in this photo (unarmed) with guns pointed at him is Erick.

In this photo he is keeping the fire, which is what fire keepers do. It's an incredibly important job. He vowed to stay by the fire until he no longer could. 

Though, it pains me to see this photo, it also fills me up with even more love and respect for Erick than I already had. Erick is a true warrior and leader.

Erick was one of my first friends at Oceti Sakowin Camp. I call him Little Brother. He is one of THE most dedicated people the "Water is Life" movement has seen, and this photo speaks volumes to that.

He has given so much of himself, and always did it in a good way. Erick played various roles on the grounds of Oceti Sakowin during his 6 months stay. He was always involved, and became a familiar and friendly face and somewhat of a central hub to most people in the community whether you were staying for a only weekend or long term.

(Interview by Mirrors and Hammers Productions)

I first met Erick at a community meeting when he stepped up to help me create the camp Volunteer Program. He was already a very dedicated and passionate firekeeper at the time, and was ready and willing to put the hardwork into creating a smooth system for volunteers while maintaining his very important role as fire keeper. We spent countless hours creating a system which would make the process easier of connecting people with jobs around camp, and with Erick's passion and commitment it flourished into a well oiled machined and a central hub of information and tasks.
During my 3 1/2 months stay at Oceti Sakowin I rarely saw Erick rest. He was ALWAYS helping someone, and always working. His greatest strength and his greatest weakness is putting others before himself. I watched him run himself to sickness from always being available for everybody's needs. 

I always saw him at the frontlines of every action I attended helping protect those being pepper spray or hurt, all the while, being pepper sprayed and hurt himself. He always stood his ground with being there for his community and helping his brothers and sisters of the movement. 

After the events of February 22nd, Erick found himself arrested and then released, only to find his van had disappeared and he was left without  clothes, funds or possessions.

He is currently sick with pneumonia struggling to get back on his feet and  heal.  My intention is to support and give back to Erick the way he did with the entire Oceti Sakowin Community.

Anything you can donate is greatly appreciate, and we are also accepting prayers.