Standing Rock

Burning Bright Media traveled to Standing Rock, North Dakota to meet the people and see what camp was like...here are my photographs that we brought back.

We arrived at sunset and there was a continuous flow of cars entering the camp.  The checkpoint you entered at camp was manned by a warrior.  He let us know the rules and was crystal clear if they were to be broken that we would be kicked out of camp.  The rules were - 1) no drugs and alcohol (I did see people smoking pot in camp) - 2) No violence.  We were also told later in the evening there was no leaving camp after sunset.

My first impression of camp was how organized it was.  There was a security detail within the camp.  There was a mess hall.  Many donations that included food, water, warm clothes, firewood, sleeping bags and many other things.  There was scheduled AA meetings, orientation every morning for new people to the camp, a sacred fire to do blessings.  There was also a very structured leadership in place and their message was conveyed very clearly..."There is to be NO acts of hostility, no violence and no unsanctioned movement past the rope the elders placed on the frontline.

I did feel very controlled with my movements in camp.  I also felt that I wasn't trusted and that I was being watched.  My thoughts were the natives were trying to figure out who was really there with compassion for their cause and who was there to stir the pot and rile the authorities.  

Tensions were high and people were alert.  The weekend before they had an unsanctioned event that really upset the elders.  A few of the water protectors tried to clear the bridge of some burnt out cars the authorities placed on the bridge to create a barricade.  This sparked an altercation with the authorities.  The water protectors were sprayed with water hoses in sub zero temperatures, shot with tear gas and concussion bombs.

Here are photographs of Camp Oceti Sakowin

(All photos taken by Matthew Heersink @85photos)

The Rope - The Elders at Camp Oceti Sakowin placed this rope across the road in front of Backwater Bridge, the sight of the confrontation the weekend before, and requested no one pass the rope.  While I was there I did not see any unsanctioned person pass this rope.  On the other side of the bridge is a militarized barricade the authorities set up.  I feel the rope is symbolic with the Elders wishes to resolve this issue through prayer and not violence.

The Water - This is the water the Water Protectors are protecting.

Completed pipeline - As you drive to Mandan, North Dakota (north of Standing Rock) you can see sections of the completed pipeline.

Goodbye for now Standing Rock - As we left camp to head back to Denver I left with a saddened heart.  In times of war we protect Christian churches, temples, mosques and any other sacred places of religion.  But the Native Americans have had their sacred land stolen from them, they've been cheated out of it, killed for it, they have had their sacred land polluted and damaged all to make an outsider money.  I ask myself if it's OK to build a pipeline underneath the Vatican, how about The Latter Day Saints Temple in Salt Lake or the Great Mosque of Mecca?  Why is it OK to do this to the Native Americans sacred land time after time, demoralizing their spirit, their religion and their compassion.

The Native Americans are most connected with mother earth and this planet.  Perhaps when they speak up and tell us we are doing great damage to our spirit we should listen to what they have to say...