Support Standing Rock Water Protectors
We were more than honored to have Lakota Spiritual Leader Chief Arvol Looking Horse here on Monday. His strength and depth were inspiring. You can see Orin Languelle’s excellent photo essay of the experience here: Standing Rocks Arvol Looking Horse Speaks in Buffalo: Photo Essay.
Chief Arvol emphasized that this is a spiritual struggle – he asked for our prayers. We assured him that he has those. If you doubt the power of prayer, see the strength of our prayerful brothers and sisters at Standing Rock. (You might also Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Energy of Prayer, and or see What The Bleep Do We Know?). Of course we also have to do our parts.
So, a list of possible things to do includes
- Pray for the Water Protectors, our brothers and sisters, and Mother Earth; for the Water; for the Creation; and for the wisdom, love, and courage to each do our part. December 4 is a special day of prayer;
- Call to support Standing Rock, #NODAPL. Insist on our honoring treaties, stopping state-sponsored violence, and halting water-defiling pipeline construction:
- Morton Co Sheriff’s Office (701) 667-3330
- N Dakota Governor’s Office (701) 328-2200
- Our Senators and Congresspeople (202) 224-3121
- President Obama (202) 456-1111 (Pres Obama promised treaty compliance)
- Department of Justice (202) 353-1555
- Army Corps of Engineers (202) 761-8700
- Donate through the Buffalo Stands with Standing Rock Support Group. Warm winter clothes especially outer garments can be brought to Burning Books, 420 Connecticut Ave. Or money can be donated through Riverside-Salem UCC/DC (on line at http://riversidesalem.org/ or via check payable to Riverside-Salem UCC/DC; sent to 3449 West River Road, Grand Island, NY 14072; in either case put Standing Rock in memo)
- Attend any or all of the following:
- Every Tuesday, 6:30pm at Burning Books, 420 Connecticut
Ave., Buffalo Stands with Standing Rock Support Group. - Mon, Dec 5, 7-9pm. Join LASC and the WNY Peace Center for a December peace gathering, at El Buen Amigo, 114 Elmwood Ave. with reports on Standing Rock and on the #Buffalo25.
- Sat, Dec 10, 3-8pm. Human Rights Day Fundraiser for Oceti Sakowin at Standing Rock, family friendly event with no alcohol and no smoking. Trinity Episcopal Church, 371 Delaware Ave, Buffalo. $10 suggested donation. Live Music includes Parker Brothers; drumming, dancing, 50/50 raffles, and more.
- Every Tuesday, 6:30pm at Burning Books, 420 Connecticut
- Talk with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, people in line at the grocery store, and whoever you can to increase public awareness in the face of a news blackout. Donald Trump is an investor in the pipeline – please bear that in mind!!
The approximately 225 people who attended Chief Arvol Looking Horse’s talk in Buffalo on 11/28 and heard his and Dawn Martin-Hill’s moving description of the Water Protectors’ tenacity and courage; the 100 who participated in the gathering at the Army Corp of Engineers where Agnes Williams, Seneca, had an honest and constructive dialog with those in charge; and all who have been involved in the efforts to Stand with Standing Rock here or at the camps with the Lakota are part of a movement – a spiritual movement – that will gain strength as we all work together.
Many thanks to the cosponsoring groups including especially Indigenous Women’s Initiatives, UB Native American Graduate Association, Six Nations Canada, Buffalo Stands w/ Standing Rock Support Group, Burning Books, the Network of Religious Communities, and the Interfaith Peace Network.
May the Great Spirit, the Creator, help us keep together in the Good Mind! Nya weh/Thanks and Gunununkwa/ May Love Surround You!! And now are minds are one . . . .