After
college, I moved to New York to work for Americorps and the Oneida
(Iroquois) Nation. Working with the people and learning the beauty
of their culture shaped my own beliefs and values; it's a big part
of who I have become. So when I first heard of the opposition in
North Dakota, I began searching the internet for details. I knew I
wanted to help.
What
I immediately noticed was the lack of coverage by major media
outlets. Much of the coverage was sparse and impersonal. I discovered
the personal stories on Facebook; and they made my heart hurt. The
personal accounts, photo and video of the disrespect and downright
abuse inflicted on the people (mostly Native) was shocking.
As
I learned more about the Pipeline, and considered what I know about
how our government treats our Native People, I recognized that this
protest is likely not to be over quickly, because so few truly
understand it's driving force. Our government, and much of the
population in this country is completely uninformed or worse,
ill-informed, about one of the most beautiful cultures I have ever
experienced. For years they have struggled quietly operating their
own society within the confines of ours. And most know little about
their connection to the land, the water, the Earth itself.
That connection is driving
this movement. The threat to sacred land, and the river that keeps
the land alive has forced them into action. They often live
disconnected from our fast-paced, wifi-ed world. Many may have had
no idea the Pipeline was coming until the bulldozers arrived. This has become a historic movement, as over 200 tribes have
unified in North Dakota and the numbers, already in the thousands,
are growing by the day.
So,
this is how this mission of bringing supplies to North Dakota
originated. I believe in protecting sacred lands, sacred culture, and
our Mother Earth. If you know me, you know I have never lived a life
of monetary abundance, but I do live one abundant with passion,
bravery and determination fueled by love for my fellow creatures –
all of them. This is a beautiful, remarkable, amazing planet we live
on, one rich in resources to support every life form on it – if we
don't mess it up. And right now, we are continuing to put profit
above rationality. We must change, we must put our Earth first, or
we're all out of here.
So,
I will embark on this adventure to help and do whatever is needed of
me, trusting that the material things necessary will come - as I
believe it always does in life when you trust in something bigger
than yourself. I am not afraid of sacrifice, hard work or standing
up for what is right, and part of my mission is to bring REAL
information to the masses. I want to tell the stories personal
stories that have been so lacking in our media. I want to do it with
film and this blog. So please visit the Go Fund Me page - give if you can. Share the page and this blog, because knowledge is power, and everyone deserves to see and know the truth about what is really happening on the ground in North Dakota
If you are in Vermont, you can drop off donations at Chaos Casbah at 117 Main Street in Ludlow. Please call 802-417-4334 if you would like to coordinate a pickup location nearby. (See supply list below.)
- EXTRA WARM JACKETS, MITTENS, HATS, FLEECE
- WARM SLEEPING BAGS, WARM BLANKETS
- TENTS
- TARPS - HEAVY DUTY
- ROPES, TIE DOWNS
- BANNERS, SHEETS
- HAIRNETS
- LAUNDRY SOAP
- LIGHTERS
- PAINT (INC. SPRAY PAINT)
- POWER INVERTER
- SOLAR CHARGERS OR BATTERY PACKS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
- WALKIE TALKIES, CB RADIOS
- GIFT CARDS FOR SUPPLIES:
- LOWES/HOME DEPOT/AMAZON
- SHIPPING CONTAINER 20 FT
- PICK-UP TRUCK W/ 4 WHEEL DRIVE
- TRAILERS/CAMPERS (FOR WINTER SHELTERS)
- SNOW TIRES - VARIOUS SIZES
- SOLAR PANELS, INVERTER
