OneEarth sustainability amid climate change

What many who are caught up in MultiEarth living do not realize is how many First Peoples resist the MultiEarth way. The rude, crude treatment by the Army Corps of Engineers, acting at the behest of oil corporations, to build the Dakota Access Pipeline right through burial grounds and sacred sites of First Peoples is a case in point. It reveals the underlying genocidal thinking toward First Peoples in MultiEarth consciousness. It’s genocidal to think that “Indians are people of the past, not of the here and now, so they and their traditional sites need not be treated respectfully. After all, modern times march on.”

But First Peoples are “here and now,” leading active lives. They have not gone away. A great source to follow the “here and now” participation of First Peoples in the world today is Indian Country Today Media Network. Their coverage of the Dakota Pipeline shows the scope of organizing and solidarity among First Peoples across the country.

As I write this blog, an important court ruling is expected later today (Friday, August 9, 2016). North Dakota Governor Dalrymple has ordered the National Guard into the area—not an action the First Peoples relish, but their commitment to prayerful, peaceful presence remains resolute. Solidarity has been growing among peoples of all backgrounds from around the U.S.

Here’s an excerpt from just one of many news articles from the “Indian Country Today Media Network:”

While North Dakota officials are increasing police and military presence in the area, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe maintains that their efforts to protect their water and burial grounds are grounded in prayer and peace.

In a radio address on KLND Radio, Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault II encouraged all visitors and supporters to remain peaceful and prayerful.

“Thousands of people, from members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, tribes across the nation and First Nations in Canada, to non-Native supporters in the United States and around the world, have stood in solidarity against the harm and destruction caused by the Dakota Access Pipeline,” Archambault said. “We have stood side by side in peaceful prayer.”

With a federal court ruling only hours away on Friday, September 9, anticipation was heightened in the camps.

“There is a lot at stake with the court decision tomorrow,” Archaumbault said. “We call upon all water protectors to greet any decision with peace and order. Even if the outcome of the court’s ruling is not in our favor, we will continue to explore every lawful option and fight against the construction of the pipeline.”

Arvol Looking Horse, 19th generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, also spoke with ICTMN regarding the National Guard presence.

“I am the Keeper of the Sacred Bundle, the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, and I am asking people to pray with us right now. From day one I’ve been doing ceremonies down at the camp, and still, keeping peace,” said Looking Horse.

“We have spiritual people here, and families, and elderly people, and now they’re calling the National Guard in on us after bulldozing over our sacred sites, as the police stood by and watched.

“There are a lot of manmade laws about the environment. We’re in modern times where there are so many laws,” said Looking Horse. “But I’m asking people to do whatever you can to help. I call on all nations of the world to help us. We are people of prayer. We are peaceful people.”