At Dinner With Hollywood's Elite, President Obama Failed Standing Rock Water Protectors and Cheyenne River Chairman Frazier

Standing Rock: Oct. 27, 2016: Water protectors arrested in prayer.

At Dinner With Hollywood's Elite, President Obama Failed Standing Rock Water Protectors and Cheyenne River Chairman Harold Frazier

Through the years, the details of the lavish dinner that Obama attended have leaked out. It was the day that Obama was at an expensive fundraiser dinner with Hollywood's elite -- and ignored Cheyenne River Harold Frazier's plea for help.

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Dec. 26, 2025

There was very little information made public at the time. During President Obama's private dinner with Hollywood's elite, Cheyenne River Chairman Harold Frazier asked Obama to intervene and prevent Standing Rock water protectors from being shot with rubber bullets, beaten, strip-searched and jailed in October of 2016.

Obama did not respond to Chairman's Frazier's plea. Obama failed to intervene and refused to stop the police violence. Two days later, law enforcement attacked peaceful water protectors in prayer with tear gas, tasers, and rubber bullets and beat them with batons.

Through the years, little was known about the private dinner until now.

The Democratic roundtable with Obama on October 25, 2016, in Beverly Hills, was attended by those who could pay $33,400 for a plate. The host was kept secret from the media, who were not invited.

The event was a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) at the home of Ryan Murphy, the Hollywood producer known for the television series American Horror Story.

Local and state law enforcement and troops with the National Guard conducted a military-style sweep and 140 water protectors were arrested on Oct. 27, 2016. They were shot with rubber bullets, tasers and tear gas and beaten with batons. Photo by Jenni Monet for The PBS NewsHour

At Standing Rock, a different Horror Story was unfolding.

Frazier, Chairman of Cheyenne River Lakota in South Dakota, was granted a special meeting, or seat at the table at the roundtable to represent the No Dakota Access Pipeline movement.

Chairman Frazier was disappointed with Obama's response, and made it public at the time.

Speaking with Obama, Chairman Frazier described how the pipeline's path near the Missouri River and Lake Oahe jeopardized the drinking water for Lakota and millions downstream. Chairman Frazier told Obama that water is a "human issue," saying, "at some point, we're all drinking the same water."

Chairman Frazier urged Obama to stop the pipeline construction immediately and protect the rights of the Lakota people, their sacred sites, and the waters of the Missouri River.

Chairman Frazier raised serious concerns about the "militarized police response" and the mistreatment, the strip searches and jailing of peaceful protesters. He argued that the pipeline violated the United States' treaty obligations to the Great Sioux Nation and called for a full environmental impact statement.

Instead of taking action, Obama told Frazier to have faith in the consultative process. During interviews at the time, Obama was asked whether he would intervene and told reporters that he was letting Standing Rock "play out."

Cheyenne River Chairman Harold Frazier, Lakota, disappointed after meeting with Obama
in October of 2016.

After the meeting, Chairman Frazier said, "I didn't really get the answers that I was hoping for, but I'm still optimistic we will prevail in stopping this pipeline."

Chairman Frazier said Obama agreed to continue working through the proper channels and agencies in the federal government.

After the roundtable, Chairman Frazier urged everyone to stay strong.

"We have to stay strong and keep up the fight."

"In the end, we will prevail."

"In the end, we will stop this pipeline."

Let's keep working," Chairman Frazier.

Now: A Federal Appeals Court Hears of the Law Enforcement Violence

Obama's failure to intervene and protect the Standing Rock water protectors, while enjoying lavish dinners with Hollywood's famous in October of 2016, resurfaces now.

The excessive force cases of Marcus Mitchell, Dine'/Navajo, and Sophia Wilansky went before a federal appeals court in Minnesota last week.

Mitchell was shot in the eye, and blinded in his left eye, by lead-filled bean bags fired by 12-gauge shotguns by Bismark Police and Morton County deputies. Mitchell was brutalized by police as he lay bleeding on the ground on the night of Jan. 18, 2017 at Backwater Bridge.

Wilansky's left arm was blown apart by an explosive fired by law enforcement from  12-gauge shotguns on the night of Nov. 20, 2016 at Backwater Bridge. As she lay bleeding, police officers laughed at her. While hospitalized, her clothing evidence was stolen by agents.

Chairman Frazier told Free Speech Radio, after the roundtable with Obama, "Well, I don’t think the people in North Dakota’s attitudes have changed. For the last 100 years, they’ve really shown that they’re still there, the hatred’s still there towards Indian people."

I visited with the U.S. Attorney’s Office here, about two or three weeks ago, and I asked him point blank, I said, “How can a non-Indian physically assault an Indian and get away with it?”

And I was referring to when the DAPL security – I’ve seen videos where they threw people down and they turned the dogs loose. And his response was, “Well, that’s on state lines.” So I said, “Oh, so does that mean if a non-Indian comes to an Indian on Indian land, the Indian could do it back?”

“Oh no,” he said, “You’d go to jail.”

So my conclusion was that, only in America, where a non-Indian can physically assault an Indian person and get away with it. And that’s really a shame on our country.

More:

Listen to the Free Speech Radio interview

https://fsrn.org/2016/10/cheyenne-river-sioux-chairman-brings-pipeline-opposition-to-meeting-with-obama/

Copyright Brenda Norrell, Censored News

The New York Times Fails Again: Standing Rock: 'We are Sitting Bull's People' -- Dakota Access Pipeline: A Snake in the Water

Photo courtesy Red Warrior Camp, Censored News

The New York Times Fails Again
Standing Rock: 'We are Sitting Bull's People'
Dakota Access Pipeline: A Snake in the Water

"We are Tatáŋka Íyotake’s Oyate — 'Sitting Bull’s People,' therefore our fight and resistance must continue for our future generations because we cannot drink oil." -- Standing Rock Nation

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Dec. 20, 2025

The New York Times is quick to publish a story on the latest ruling on the Dakota Access Pipeline, claiming it is a critical energy need -- but failed to report on the excessive force lawsuits filed against law enforcement by Marcus Mitchell and Sophia Wilansky. Both were critically injured at Standing Rock defending the water from the pipeline. Their cases were heard by the federal appeals court this week.

The New York Times is now known around the world for its failed reporting and bias which enabled the genocide in Palestine.

The New York Times reported: "On Friday, the Army Corps of Engineers, which manages land that the pipeline, the Dakota Access Pipeline, crosses at Lake Oahe, released a long-awaited environmental impact statement."

"The nearly 500-page document concluded that the pipeline could continue operating while recommending additional safety measures to protect water in the area."

"Gov. Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota heralded the Army Corps report, saying the pipeline 'has become an essential part of our nation’s energy infrastructure.'"

The Standing Rock Nation said the new environmental impact statement was issued without consultation or notice, which is required by federal law. Further, a spill along the Cannonball River was kept secret.

"The opposition against DAPL on our homelands continues," the Standing Rock Nation said.

"We are Tatáŋka Íyotake’s Oyate — 'Sitting Bull’s People,' therefore our fight and resistance must continue for our future generations because we cannot drink oil."

“The Army Corps violation of its Treaty, trust, and federal responsibilities is appalling, but this is not the end of the road. We will continue to fight for our homelands and the promises the United States made to our Tribe in Treaty," said Chairman Steve Sitting Bear.

The Standing Rock Nation said the EIS failed to address the issue of the safety of the drinking water, and fails to point out that the oil is an export and does not stay in the United States.

Marcus Mitchell, Dine'/Navajo, and Sophia Wilansky's cases were heard by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minnesota this week. Mitchell was shot in the eye and blinded in his left eye when shot by law enforcement firing 12-gauge shotguns loaded with lead-filled bean bags at Backwater Bridge.

Wilansky's left arm was shattered by an explosive projectile fired by law enforcement at Backwater Bridge during the resistance to the pipeline. Mitchell was brutalized by law enforcement after being shot. Wilansky said officers laughed at her as she lay bleeding. Agents stole her clothing and evidence in the hospital.

North Dakota courts denied justice to both water protectors.

Read more on the federal appeals cases at Censored News.

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2025/12/federal-appeals-court-heard-case-of.html

Image courtesy Red Warrior Camp

Federal Appeals Court Heard Case of Marcus Mitchell, Navajo, Shot in the Eye at Standing Rock

Photo by Erica Crazy Hawk, Crow Creek Lakota

Federal Appeals Court Heard Case of Marcus Mitchell, Navajo, Today Shot in the Eye at Standing Rock

Article by Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Dec. 18, 2025

ST. PAUL, Minnesota -- A federal appeals court heard the excessive force case filed by Marcus Mitchell, Dine'/Navajo, today. Marcus was shot and blinded in his left eye, at Backwater Bridge at Standing Rock, while protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline construction in 2017.

Mitchell's attorney Devi Rao argued that Mitchell was targeted with excessive force by officers and was not posing a threat. Rao said officers began firing without a warning. Mitchell was standing still and was not committing serious crimes when he was fired on.

Attorney Rao told the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that Mitchell continues to suffer after being shot by officers firing 12-gauge shotguns filled with lead-filled bean bags.

"Mr. Mitchell is blind in his left eye. His senses of hearing and smell are irreparably damaged, and he has chronic and debilitating pain on the left side of his face despite many medical procedures," said Rao, an attorney with MacArthur Justice Center.

Navajo Shot in the Eye at Standing Rock, Denied Justice: A Federal Court will Hear the Case

Diné Shot in the Eye at Standing Rock Denied Justice: A Federal Court will Hear the Case 

Tohono O'odham Ophelia Rivas: Honoring the Ha'shan in Spain: International Peace Building

 

Women Civil Rights Center, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, province of Barcelona, Spain
Ophelia and Carmen Uros, Director of Civics, Volunteering and International Cooperation of Santa Coloma de Gramenet City Council. Photo courtesy Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham.

The Honorable Ha'shan International Peace Building

Courtesy Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, and Women's Civil Right Center, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain, Censored News, Dec. 16, 2025

The humble Ha'shan was honored as a part of a photograph exhibition by Ophelia Rivas, at the 2025 Build Peace Conference at the La CIBA, Women Civil Rights Center in Santa Coloma de Gramenet in the province of Barcelona, Spain.

Ophelia is from Ali Je'gk (Little Clearing) village on the Tohono O'odham reservation located in the state of Arizona, on the United States and Mexico border.

Listen: Sophia Wilansky's Case Before Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Sophia Wilansky. Nov. 21, 2016

Listen: Today Federal Appeals Court Hears the Excessive Force by Law Enforcement at Standing Rock

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Dec. 16, 202

ST. PAUL, Minnesota -- The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case of Sophia Wilansky today in St. Paul, Minnesota. Wilansky's left arm was blown apart by an explosive fired by law enforcement at Backwater Bridge at Standing Rock on the night of Nov. 20, 2016. The MacArthur Justice Center filed the civil rights lawsuit, which names the law enforcement who fired at Wilansky, and those who gave the orders. 

Wilansky's attorney argued today whether she was fired on while obeying orders and dispersing. The argument focused on whether she was struck when she stopped to pick up a piece of plywood as a shield, or whether she was fired on before she stopped. Wilansky's attorney said law enforcement rapid-fired on her while she was running away. She was struck by a flash bang type explosive fired from a shotgun. Her attorney said law enforcement laughed at her after she was struck.

Sophia Wilansky's Case at Federal Appeals Court in St. Paul, Minnesota

Marcus Mitchell, Dine'/Navajo. Sophia Wilansky. Censored News.

Today: Sophia Wilansky's Case at Federal Appeals Court in St. Paul, Minnesota

The Back Story at Backwater Bridge: The Facts that the Pipeline and Courts Don't Want You to Know

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Dec. 10, 2025

Update: Audio and transcripts of Sophia Wilansky's case heard at federal appeals court, Dec. 16, 2025

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2025/12/listen-sophia-wilanskys-case-before.html

The cases of Marcus Mitchell, Dine'/Navajo, and Sophia Wilansky, both critically injured at Backwater Bridge in Standing Rock, will be heard before the federal Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minnesota in December.

Apache Stronghold's Wendsler Nosie Targeted: Propane Line Cut

Wendsler Nosie. Video screenshot Censored News

Apache Stronghold's Wendsler Nosie Targeted: Propane Line Cut

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Dec. 12, 2025

Watch video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/897452339276212

OAK FLAT -- Apache Stronghold's Wendsler Nosie's propane line was cut to his camper, where he usually sleeps at Oak Flat, protecting the Apache Ceremonial Place from a planned copper mine. 

"I've never bothered anybody," Wendsler said, pointing out that his efforts have been to show what mining is going to do to the environment, our land, our religion, and environmental policies. "It's ugly."

Apaches on Alcatraz Island: Carrying Prayers for Oak Flat

Apache Carry Prayers to Alcatraz Island, Protecting Sacred Oak Flat From Being Destroyed for a Copper Mine

By Fight4Our Existence

Tohono O'odham Ophelia Rivas Speaks on Israeli Spy Towers in Spain

"Our Fire is Burning," Tohono O'odham Ophelia Rivas Speaks on Israeli Spy Towers in Barcelona, Spain

Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, speaks at Build Peace in Spain. Photo Build Peace, Censored News

Building Peace Conference in Spain

By Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, Censored News, Nov. 22, 2025

French translation by Christine Prat

https://chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=8603

SANTA COLOMA de GRAMENET, Spain -- Today I am speaking of the absence of true peace on O'odham lands, including personal peace, peace for plants and animals, peace for mountains and valleys, and peace for water and air.

The O'odham are under continuous surveillance from the U.S. government perspective of border security for protection of the american way of life.