ND Bound Help Protect the Waters
Donation protected
URGENT call to action: we are leaving for North Dakota on Saturday, September 17th, taking our truck with a trailer full of supplies (see below) to support the people at Standing Rock Reservation/Sioux tribe. We are answering their call for support.
Help Us fill the request by donating to this fund and we'll gather the supplies and deliver it!
Our Intention is to support the efforts of the Standing Rock People as they stand to protect the waters. Our intention is to ease their burdens and to be truly helpful. Our intention is to add the support of our community here along the Central Coast of California to the Standing Rock People. Our intention is to help protect the waters on this land.
Below are the reasons and story of why we are doing this.
For generations, Native American tribes have been sending their wise elders and storytellers into the American society at large to teach us to connect to ourselves by connecting with nature. I believe their intent was to help us see our vital connection and interdependency with nature--that we are called to be stewards of nature instead of conquerors, and that what we do to nature we do to ourselves.
The Lakota people of the Standing Rock Reservation have now asked us to participate in their struggle to keep our waters, air, and lands clean and vital for generations to come. Our stand is to protect the waters of the Missouri River and the Ogallala aquifer from potential and probably inevitable oil pollution from the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline. The Pipeline is slated to transfer 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day across four states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois), traveling under the Missouri River and across important and sacred Native American lands.
Why is it important to block this project? Because we can sustain life by drinking water, not oil. Thousands of peaceful protestors have gathered in North Dakota, from mainstream Americans to representatives of the largest and most diverse gathering of Native American tribes in the past hundred years. They have put out a call for support and supplies. Audrey and I, with the support of our San Luis Obispo community, have decided to travel with our children (Sage, age 13, and Hazel, age 6) to answer that call.
It is often hard to know what to do or how to support the issues important to us. When we listened, our hearts spoke loudly, sending rivers of tears down our faces and the message became clear: we must go to North Dakota as ambassadors of positivity, bringing gifts from our community to support our Native allies in protecting the Missouri waters, the great Ogallala aquifer, and the sacred Native lands.
We are asking for your financial and equipment support in making this support journey possible. Donate the amount you are called to and contact Eric or Audrey about equipment, logistical, and food offerings.
Please donate now as we plan on departing from San Luis Obispo next weekend on Saturday, September 17th.
With an abundance of gratitude, love, and sadness,
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, All our relations.
Audrey, Eric, Sage, Hazel
Here is a breakdown of supplies currently requested by the Standing Rock People:
Essential Equipment and Supplies:
1-2 Lg tent, approx. 16’ x 32’, waterproof, 4” stove jacks
1-2 Wood burning camp stove, lightweight
1-2 Cords of wood
Trailer rental
Misc. items: two mauls, extra handles, 2 wedges
Gas generator, 2000W
Gas cards
other essential supplies requested from Sacred Stone Camp
Audrey, from her heart:
This movement speaks to my heart. From the moment it started I’ve wanted to go and support them.
When I was in my late 20’s I met a Lakota elder named Gilbert Walking Bull. I sat in prayer with him many times in sweat lodges, song circles, pipe ceremonies and these things changed me. I came alive. I learned to be grateful for the things that give me life: the earth, the water, the sun, the winds, etc. I Changed from someone who expected opportunities in life to someone who appreciated the gifts I’ve been already given and are receiving every day...a very dramatic change where I found my place in life.
Sitting outside with my 6 year old daughter, Hazel, watching caterpillars cross the driveway or picking flowers or noticing the colors of the eucalyptus bark - these moments fill me with joy.
The cold nighttime air before the false dawn begins, wet grass after a foggy night, the salty air in our ocean town, a shared moment with a friend; these things I notice now.
And underneath my gratitude and awe of life is an awareness of this enormous indebtedness I have with the Lakota people. My whole life, my job, my husband, my children, my community is full of richness because of my time with Gilbert. I am so keenly aware of this truth. And every part of my being wants to give back and support Gilbert’s people. My heart is called to respond, aching to respond in support.
And I think during these times when great change is happening on our planet, people need to follow their hearts.
And so we go.
Eric, getting to the heart:
I am having a challenge expressing why I am willing to go because there is so much data surrounding what is happening with this pipeline. The warrior in me wants to fight back, be angry, and reveal the 500 or so years of slaughter and oppression the indigenous people of the Americas have experienced. The lover in me just cries with deep sadness at how the power forces of government and big business treats us when they have a profit agenda of acquisition. Today it is the Native Americans, the Muslims, the Latinos, and the African-Americans who are experiencing unjust overt and systemic bigotry and violence. I ask you, “who will be the new target tomorrow?” It may be you and me.
I am compelled to act for what I believe in, what my heart is calling forth: love, compassion, and understanding. I am compelled to act for justice and equality for all humans. I am compelled to act to protect and steward the water that flows through our lives. I am compelled to create the world I want to live in.
Pipeline Legal and Construction Updates:
The Obama administration made a highly unusual move and stuck out their necks to stop construction on reservation land until they could do a study and meet with the Native Americans, and made a request to the Dakota Access Pipeline to voluntarily cease construction on privately held lands. They stated that they would possibly like to set a new precedent in these types of situations in which the government listens to the Native Americans. The request from the Lakota people for support remains a high priority as well as their plans to remain through the winter.
Help Us fill the request by donating to this fund and we'll gather the supplies and deliver it!
Our Intention is to support the efforts of the Standing Rock People as they stand to protect the waters. Our intention is to ease their burdens and to be truly helpful. Our intention is to add the support of our community here along the Central Coast of California to the Standing Rock People. Our intention is to help protect the waters on this land.
Below are the reasons and story of why we are doing this.
For generations, Native American tribes have been sending their wise elders and storytellers into the American society at large to teach us to connect to ourselves by connecting with nature. I believe their intent was to help us see our vital connection and interdependency with nature--that we are called to be stewards of nature instead of conquerors, and that what we do to nature we do to ourselves.
The Lakota people of the Standing Rock Reservation have now asked us to participate in their struggle to keep our waters, air, and lands clean and vital for generations to come. Our stand is to protect the waters of the Missouri River and the Ogallala aquifer from potential and probably inevitable oil pollution from the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline. The Pipeline is slated to transfer 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day across four states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois), traveling under the Missouri River and across important and sacred Native American lands.
Why is it important to block this project? Because we can sustain life by drinking water, not oil. Thousands of peaceful protestors have gathered in North Dakota, from mainstream Americans to representatives of the largest and most diverse gathering of Native American tribes in the past hundred years. They have put out a call for support and supplies. Audrey and I, with the support of our San Luis Obispo community, have decided to travel with our children (Sage, age 13, and Hazel, age 6) to answer that call.
It is often hard to know what to do or how to support the issues important to us. When we listened, our hearts spoke loudly, sending rivers of tears down our faces and the message became clear: we must go to North Dakota as ambassadors of positivity, bringing gifts from our community to support our Native allies in protecting the Missouri waters, the great Ogallala aquifer, and the sacred Native lands.
We are asking for your financial and equipment support in making this support journey possible. Donate the amount you are called to and contact Eric or Audrey about equipment, logistical, and food offerings.
Please donate now as we plan on departing from San Luis Obispo next weekend on Saturday, September 17th.
With an abundance of gratitude, love, and sadness,
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, All our relations.
Audrey, Eric, Sage, Hazel
Here is a breakdown of supplies currently requested by the Standing Rock People:
Essential Equipment and Supplies:
1-2 Lg tent, approx. 16’ x 32’, waterproof, 4” stove jacks
1-2 Wood burning camp stove, lightweight
1-2 Cords of wood
Trailer rental
Misc. items: two mauls, extra handles, 2 wedges
Gas generator, 2000W
Gas cards
other essential supplies requested from Sacred Stone Camp
Audrey, from her heart:
This movement speaks to my heart. From the moment it started I’ve wanted to go and support them.
When I was in my late 20’s I met a Lakota elder named Gilbert Walking Bull. I sat in prayer with him many times in sweat lodges, song circles, pipe ceremonies and these things changed me. I came alive. I learned to be grateful for the things that give me life: the earth, the water, the sun, the winds, etc. I Changed from someone who expected opportunities in life to someone who appreciated the gifts I’ve been already given and are receiving every day...a very dramatic change where I found my place in life.
Sitting outside with my 6 year old daughter, Hazel, watching caterpillars cross the driveway or picking flowers or noticing the colors of the eucalyptus bark - these moments fill me with joy.
The cold nighttime air before the false dawn begins, wet grass after a foggy night, the salty air in our ocean town, a shared moment with a friend; these things I notice now.
And underneath my gratitude and awe of life is an awareness of this enormous indebtedness I have with the Lakota people. My whole life, my job, my husband, my children, my community is full of richness because of my time with Gilbert. I am so keenly aware of this truth. And every part of my being wants to give back and support Gilbert’s people. My heart is called to respond, aching to respond in support.
And I think during these times when great change is happening on our planet, people need to follow their hearts.
And so we go.
Eric, getting to the heart:
I am having a challenge expressing why I am willing to go because there is so much data surrounding what is happening with this pipeline. The warrior in me wants to fight back, be angry, and reveal the 500 or so years of slaughter and oppression the indigenous people of the Americas have experienced. The lover in me just cries with deep sadness at how the power forces of government and big business treats us when they have a profit agenda of acquisition. Today it is the Native Americans, the Muslims, the Latinos, and the African-Americans who are experiencing unjust overt and systemic bigotry and violence. I ask you, “who will be the new target tomorrow?” It may be you and me.
I am compelled to act for what I believe in, what my heart is calling forth: love, compassion, and understanding. I am compelled to act for justice and equality for all humans. I am compelled to act to protect and steward the water that flows through our lives. I am compelled to create the world I want to live in.
Pipeline Legal and Construction Updates:
The Obama administration made a highly unusual move and stuck out their necks to stop construction on reservation land until they could do a study and meet with the Native Americans, and made a request to the Dakota Access Pipeline to voluntarily cease construction on privately held lands. They stated that they would possibly like to set a new precedent in these types of situations in which the government listens to the Native Americans. The request from the Lakota people for support remains a high priority as well as their plans to remain through the winter.
Organiser
Eric Finlayson
Organiser
Los Osos, CA
