Pueblo's for Standing Rock

Pueblo's for Standing Rock - Has reached their $500 goal!!! As of now we are receiving great support from our fellow Tribes, Pueblo’s, and supporters near and far. Thank you all!! One truck has now turned into two trucks and a trailer. We still plan on leaving Tuesday morning and have now set our goal for $1,500. Together we all can help in a way that brings unity, peace and understanding for the youth and our environment.

Thank you all for your support and donations.

Please continue to spread the word!!!


Greetings, my name is Benjamin Shendo, I am from Cochiti and Jemez Pueblo. Currently twenty-seven years old and a graduate from New Mexico State University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Minor in Native Studies. Life has gifted me the opportunity to travel to Vancouver Island, Canada down to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and what I've seen is a common struggle amongst our Indigenous people and it's time to be addressed.  

Hello, my name is Dustin Joseph (Tsii WiiDoh) Garcia. I am a member of the Pueblo of Santa Ana, or Tamaya as we traditionally call our tribe. In my 34 years of life I have had the opportunity to travel throughout British Columbia, several Canadian Provinces, spend 9 months commercial fishing in Alaska, and travel to all states in North America. This has allowed me to meet many people of different backgrounds and spend time with Native people in the spaces they call home. Therefore I have devoted my life to making positive changes in at risk indigenous communities.

We are raising funds to help gather supplies for the people at Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, North Dakota. Dustin Garcia recently returning from Cannon Ball, ND got to experience and feel first hand what the people need at Standing Rock. We are two individuals that feel the time is ripe to unite our people in the Southwest with our Northern relatives and aid in their efforts to stop advancement of the oil pipeline through sacred lands. 

What we are taking:

Re-usable food trays
Kitchen supplies, hygiene & toiletries, food & clothing
Flashlight and lanterns 
Elk meat from our hunt

Our plans while at North Dakota:

Learn from cultural leaders about their efforts and concerns. 
Offer Capoeira throughout the day to the youth and adults – promoting health and world views to the camps.
Make bi-weekly trips to North Dakota to deliver supplies and materials.
Promote our Non-Profit – “Sacred Circle Self-Defense & Fitness”.

Funding will go towards:

Gas money
Vehicle service (oil change)
Supplies and materials (purchased in North Dakota)

Understanding that among protecting our land, health and nutrition is our next battle! We need to prepare our youth with traditional / cultural practices, along with modern philosophy that will guide them towards a successful life. Change has to start within, changing habits, and creating new ones.

We are ready to move on to future endeavors, spreading awareness and dedication to other communities. Our goal is to take the values of culture, respect, education and health to Indigenous communities far and wide, teaching to become a stronger person and provider of necessities based on community requirements.

Passionate about our work we believe that early preparation will help build confidence within these individuals, evoking them to continue a healthy path so that they may be role models for their community, family and peers.

With time changing and the concerns for protecting land and tradition, we as people need to understand the true value of “water”. “Water is life” and without water our land, body, and way of being would be non-existent. Educating our children to protect this lifestyle needs to be fashioned for generations to come, accepting that their problems and concerns will be just as alarming but with proper guidance the future generations will stand strong in their beliefs.

With this being said, we plan to leave New Mexico on Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 our newest task is to dedicate our time and efforts to supporting the frontline of NDAPL.

Thank you all for reading, sharing, and donating to a cause that needs attention and assistance. To all our family and friends keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we follow the path before us.