Hi friends! You're receiving this because you either know me, or someone we have in common as a friend has sent this to you. You're also receiving this because you have shown a common interest in the people protecting the land against the DAPL in Standing Rock. 

I can't explain it completely, but I'm being compelled to go to Standing Rock by something much more significant than I am. 

We've all seen the videos of water cannons and rubber bullets. We've seen the videos of Protectors who have their own stories to tell. All of it is heartbreaking, but for me, there is still something missing in what we're seeing. The heart of it all. Not the heart of the Protectors, that's obvious. I'm talking about the heart that hits home for all the rest of us. That thing that will connect the dots, that will make the struggle of our Native American brothers and sisters hit home for us in a very real and personal way. 

I need your help to tell those stories. I need your help to draw real, tangible human connections to these Protectors. Through the lens of my writing that many of you have enjoyed, and through the literal lens of a camera, I will seek to bring out those element of this story that will enable many more of us to see these Protectors as our sisters, our brothers, our neighbors, and our fellow human beings. 

In these times, there is nothing more important than finding compassion and empathy for our fellow human beings. We are being torn apart, and even when we find ourselves in agreement and solidarity for our fellow citizens of the world, there still seems to be a feeling of it all happening "over there." I can no longer abide with this disconnect. I need to bring these stories home, to bring these stories "right here," where their full gravity can be realized. 

Your money will go to modest but necessary camping supplies. A tent, a sub zero sleeping bag, a small propane stove, propane fuel, etc. I'll be there for a total of 5 days. When I leave again, any supplies I purchased with your money will then be left behind so that it may continue helping the Protectors. Additionally, any money raised that is over and above anything I need to purchase said items will be donated to the defense fund of Standing Rock. Not a single dollar will be wasted. 

My hope is that this is a way that you and I can feel our contribution and our support for these Protectors in a very tangible way. Telling stories is a big part of who and what I am. I cannot imagine a more important story to give to the world than this.

In light of the Army Corps of Engineers letter of intent to evacuate the Protectors on the 5th of December, this journey is now more important than I even imagined.

Thank you for your support.