climatemovement:

Standing Rock has become the largest gathering of Native Americans in more than 100 years, with water protectors and land defenders coming from across North America to stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline. They are risking their lives to protect the land and the generations that will inherit it.

What I desire is that my fellow American citizens stand with us. I ask you to please call or write your Senators and Representative to stop this blindness and greed.

And, if nothing else, please, offer a prayer for my people and all the people who are standing with us in prayer. Just offer some thoughts of protection for us. We ask that you offer a prayer for sensibility and common sense in behalf of all the two legged, as this is not just a Lakota/Dakota issue, this is a human issue.

This land that is being disturbed was once ours. Our people, our Indian Nations lived and governed our people all over this territory. This land across the Cannonball River that is now threatened was forcibly taken from us and there was nothing that we could do about it then and now.

Nonetheless, we still believe that we are the keepers of this beautiful land. Although it was taken from us, we know, we must stand and speak on this land’s behalf. We want everyone and the federal government to respect this land and water and take care of it. That is why our people are standing up and standing with the land and water. We have to be here. It is instructions that the Creator has given us. We have to be here. We have to protect ourselves and those that cannot speak for themselves.

Dave Archambault II (Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), Demonstrations a cry to stop desecration of Mother Earth

Art by Marty Two Bulls for Indian Country Today Media Network