Letter to the Editor

The Black Serpent of (Dakota Access Pipelines) “No DAPL protest” represents a powerful battle against a monster stated in our prophecies. Most people might not be aware of the Standing Rock protest because of today’s media blackout, but this story has many postings on Facebook.

When I was a young boy, I remember the traditional elders were talking about this or at least that is what I thought they were talking about. I remember hearing them tell stories about someone seeing a black snake in the grass while on their way to the outhouse. What I failed to realize at the time was that they were very serious and concerned about something bad happening in the future and we might be alive to see it. In the old Longhouse, someone was telling us some of these things about a black serpent that was going to cause some destruction to the earth. As young people, we were busy playing outside and not listening probably because we didn’t understand the Mohawk language fluently enough to follow. An elderly man came outside with his cane up in the air and shook it at us while scolding us because we were not inside the Longhouse listening Instead we were fooling around outside. Little did we understand that they were talking about prophecies, signs of the future and the end of our world.

The native (Onkwehonwe) people believed the snake or serpent represented many things and had certain meanings. Now 37 years later, I can take a look at the perspective of those stories of dreams or visions and the importance of snakes or serpent symbolism. We would think that snakes are not good or mean something bad when seen in dreams. Especially black ones representing jealously, hatred, anger, madness or some else’s bad intentions that are directed towards you and then you, yourself is in need of protection. If a dreamer is bitten by one, this means someone close to you is not to be trusted. Colorful snakes in a ball represented a sexual desire or love charm. Fear of snakes signifies fear of intimacy or commitment or letting go. Some good symbolism can mean importance of water, thunder, wealth, divine authority, balance, knowledge, life renewal, psychic energy, wisdom, powerful spiritual force, cleansing, healing transformation movement and connection to our Mother Earth.

In my perspective of the serpent symbolism represented in our folklore stories is much larger than grass snake. They were enormous monster serpents large enough to eat many people at one time that roamed the earth before contact with our white brothers.

At this time, our thoughts and prayers go out to our peaceful Sioux brothers and sisters and Water Protectors who are dealing with this Black Serpent of DAPL at Standing Rock in South Dakota. They have gathered there to defend water rights, lands, protect sacred burial sites. They are in unified solidarity with the Great Sioux Nation in opposing this pipeline from causing more environmental destruction and to protect the water that is life for future generations. The Water Protectors are left fighting this without any help from the Government and are trying to get the support and protection from the United Nations for human rights violations. This DAPL has planned on transporting 570,000 barrels of oil per day under the Lake Oahe without consent from the tribe, which waters are threatened from possible contamination of pipeline failures. This symbolic Black Serpent was born during the 1880’s from great industrial corporations; greed and capitalism out to destroy our Mother Earth. With powerful men like George Soros who control world stock market currency and the other wealthy elites that fund billions of dollars into projects like this without any remorse, guilt and social or ethical moral values.

The US president-elect Donald Trump is man of many words who will commit to withdrawing from the UN Climate change talks and plans to push for the expansions of fossil fuel and exports. The Black Serpent does not care if any rights have been violated.

It was said to have been prophesied by Handsome Lake, in the late 1700’s, there would be a time when the rivers were into turn to oil and burn; The monsters that are underneath the grounds and it’s the Grandfather Thunders duty to keep it confined.

This brings another example that came from the Creation Story of our ancestors; Creator’s brother had a hateful mind and was going to conspire against brother’s creations. He will do everything in his power to control and seduce the minds of the human beings with madness, sickness and disease to destroy the earth. He doesn’t like the unity of peace, respect and love. So for the Water Protectors, that represent these values and unity of peace will continue to have hope. Along with the Buffalo People, of the great Chief Sitting Bull to have strength and courage to overcome and defeat this Great Black Serpent (DAPL) with a message to the world not to support the needs of exacting fossil fuels and natural gas from the our Mother the Earth and transform into renewable and sustainable energies. To continue to defend, look after and teach respect for what the Creator has given us and leave it better than we experienced it.

As well, this is an opportunity for spiritual transformation of the minds into the hearts, bringing great change and healing.

Joey Tehoronio David