Standing Rock Solidarity March Held in Akwesasne

The community of Akwesasne and surrounding friends, family and neighbors gathered on October 30, 2016 join in on one of Akwesasne largest peaceful walks to show solidarity to the water protectors in Standing Rock, North Dakota: the Standing Rock Solidarity March. Standing Rock water protectors are becoming victims of increasingly violent and abusive treatment by the North Dakota National Guard, Morton County Sheriffs Department, DAPL private security, and other law officials. Water protectors have been maced, tear-gassed, hit by rubber bullets and sound cannons. Over 40 injuries have been reported. Over 140 water protectors were arrested this past weekend. All have since been released.

The Solidarity Walk began at Tsionkwanatiio with a tobacco burning at 11:30am done by Shatekaronhiase, an organizer of this walk. From there participants walked to Generations Park where a large contingent of supporters joined in. The march continued west on Route 37 to the Twinleaf Restaurant. From there, some walkers chose to continue walking to the traffic light located just before the American bridge to Kawehnoke. Again, a smaller group continued marching to the top of the American bridge closing traffic to Canada for approximately 40 minutes.

Over 500 people from Akwesasne showed their support for Standing Rock and the immediate stop to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, and to the violence to the Standing Rock water protectors.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman David Archambault II and Chairmen Frazier expressed they were not consulted in the construction of the DAPL. From the beginning the Army Corps of Engineers and the Standing Rock Sioux had different definitions of "Consulted". The AC of E believe that sending a memo, posting a notice in a neighboring city, or announcing their intentions on a radio station out of range of the Standing Rock Sioux constitutes "consultation".

According to Tribal Chairman Archambault, "That isn't meaningful consultation. We were not consulted. We never gave consent. In order to talk, we need to define what consultation means. All knew we were opposed to this and expressed this. After the plans were finalized, then we were approached."

The Department of Interior, the Department of Justice and the Army Corps of Engineer will meet on November 17, 2016. The Army Corps of Engineers plan to make an announcement on DAPL.

According to Archambault, it will be too late by then. Construction inches every day closer to the Missouri River and they have already destroyed sacred Sioux sites along their way. Traveling through 50 counties in 4 states, the Dakota Access pipeline is proposed to transport light, sweet crude oil from the North Dakota Bakken region through North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa into Illinois. The DAPL purchased farmland along their proposed route, which is against North Dakota law. No corporation can purchase or own farmland.

Within the camp, discussion are going on how they will weather the winter, where temperatures often fall below 35 degrees – for weeks at a time. They remain committed to their cause, which affects all Native Americans.

Over 200 Native American Tribe are represented there, as well as delegations from around the world. Many have sent letters of support; others have sent supplies to their camp.

Local Akwesasronon, Stacy Huff is staying at the Standing Rock Warrior Camp. She stated, "I'm really missing my family these past few days. A lot has gone down. We were forced back from our last stand by the militarized police forces here. At night the sky lights up with spotlights over the hills we can see the DAPL crews working. As of this moment they're plowing through the burial lands and they're almost to the water. It's very frustrating and depressing. Yesterday we did a collection and one of our fine warriors took it upon himself to go get candy and glow sticks for the kids in camp for Halloween. It was a bittersweet time. As frustrating as it is the will to fight is strong in our frontline. I'm heading back to camp to see if our yurt (the birthing center) is set up. I hope so. I'm looking forward to hearing that first cry of a newborn baby! That's the strongest medicine to me! Konoronkwa to all and to my family. I miss you."

Akwesasne is no stranger to this kind of fight, for generations we have all seen and experienced the effects of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Enbridge, St. Lawrence Gas, Energy East, Trans Canada, Alcoa, the former General Motors plant, the former Reynolds Aluminum plant, the former Domtar Paper Mill shamelessly pollute the North Country.

In the words of Tribal Chairman David Archambault II, " Try and go without water one time. Then you will understand water is sacred."