Cowboy Indian Alliance in DC: Reject and Protect fighting Keystone tarsands pipeline

Photo by Farhad

Cowboy and Indian Alliance tipis up and ready for action on the National Mall in DC!

Lakota Joye Braun halting megaload.

Lakotas van in accident enroute: 

Joye Braun and others from Cheyenne River in South Dakota found out their bus wouldn't make it to the Reject and Protect action in DC. 
They headed out in their van and hit a deer. They made it back home safely in the busted van this weekend. 
Hopefully, non-profits or others can fly the group to DC! 
Joye said a second vehicle from Cheyenne River, with Robin LeBeau and grassroots Lakotas, is on its way.  Joye recently halted an oilfield megaload on Cheyenne River Lakota land all by herself. -- Contact Joye at: floyd.braun@gmail.com
Censored News, brendanorrell@gmail.com

By Brenda Norrell

Photo by Farhad

Censored News
French translation by Christine Prat

Watch on MSNBC, the Ed Show
http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/watch/bringing-the-anti-keystone-xl-fight-to-d-c-233342019701

WASHINGTON DC -- Native Americans, farmers and ranchers united with grassroots and environmental groups and pitched their tipis on the National Mall today, sending a spiritual message to President Obama to say, “No!” to the Keystone XL pipeline. The coalition is in DC as a voice to protect sacred water and land for future generations.

In the "Reject and Protect" campaign, there's a week of actions against the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, in Washington and in local communities, from April 22-27, 2014.

The Cowboy and Indian Alliance and allies invite folks from across the country to visit the tipi camp on the National Mall and participate in the actions.

“We need all hands on deck to bear witness all week. Join us in showing the strength of our communities. We call upon President Obama to take this historic step in rejecting Keystone XL in order to protect our land, water and climate,” organizers said.

If you can only make one event during the week, the most important day is Saturday, April 26, when thousands will be gathering at the Camp for a tipi presentation ceremony and procession.

Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader among the Dakota, Lakota, Nakota people, said, “Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of mankind.  Do you think that the Creator would create unnecessary people in a time of danger? Know that you are essential to this world. The biggest cancer spreading upon Mother Earth is the tar sands.”

Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, blessed the tarsands resistance spiritual camp on Cheyenne River in South Dakota. A second Spiritual Camp is set up on Rosebud Lakota land in South Dakota to protect the water and land from the threat of the Keystone XL pipeline.

United in struggle, Chief Reuben George, Tsleil-Waututh, said, “One thing I can say right off the bat is that we are winning. When we come together like this, we become stronger. There is no price for our water and lands. The lessons we receive from Mother Earth is to become better human beings.  We give back to the earth and the land. The pipelines do not do that. We are going to win!”

General Schedule — all events will be at the tipi camp, located between 9th and 12th Streets on the National Mall, unless otherwise noted.

April 22, Tuesday

Opening Ceremony – US Capitol Reflecting Pool, 11am-2pm

Painting of Obama tipi, 4-6pm

Music and sharing stories, 6-8pm

Documentary showing, 8pm: Pipe Dreams, “Across the heartland of America, farmers and landowners are fighting to protect their land, their water, and their livelihood in what has become the most controversial environmental battle in the U.S. today: The Keystone XL Pipeline.”Director: Leslie Iwerks

April 23, Wednesday

Water ceremony, 9-10am

Walk to various federal agencies for meetings/actions, 10-11am

Meetings/actions with federal agencies, 11-1pm

Painting of Obama tipi, 4-6pm

Music and sharing stories, 6-8pm

Documentary showing, 8 PM: Tipping Point — Through the story of a people forced to the brink and the revelation of what ‘dirty oil’ will do to our environment, this immensely powerful documentary helps us to really understand the trade-offs we make for our energy as we approach the end of the age of oil. Introduction by and Q and A with Francois Paulette

April 24, Thursday

Water ceremony, 9-10am

Meetings with allied groups 11am-1pm

Painting of Obama tipi, 4-6pm

Music and sharing stories, 6-8pm

#sosEPAnoKXL, 8pm: Giant light projection action to tell the EPA to intervene and say no to Keystone XL — hosted by the Other 98%. RSVP here

April 25, Friday

Water ceremony, 9-10am

Prayer and song at Sec. Kerry home, 11am-noon

Painting of Obama tipi, 4-6pm

Music and sharing stories, 6-8pm

Award-winning photographer Garth Lenz presents slides of the tarsands, joined by Crystal Lameman of the Beaver Lake Cree First Nation, 8-9pm

April 26, Saturday

Water ceremony, 9-10am

Painting of tipi canvass liner with general public’s thumbprints, 9:00 am-10:30 am

Group ceremony and procession with tipi, 11am-2pm

Music and sharing stories at tipi camp, 6-8pm

Documentary, 8 PM: H2Oil “H2Oil follows a voyage of discovery, heartbreak and politicization in the stories of those attempting to defend water in Alberta against tarsands expansion.” Director: Shannon Walsh, courtesy of Loaded Pictures / Dark Hollow Films

April 27, Sunday

Water ceremony, 9-10am

Interfaith prayer ceremony – Lafayette Park, 10-11am

Closing ceremony – Lafayette Park 11am-noon

On April 22nd, our alliance of pipeline fighters — ranchers, farmers, tribal communities, and their friends — called the Cowboy Indian Alliance will ride into Washington DC for the next, and perhaps final, chapter in the fight against Keystone XL.

On that day, we will set up camp nearby the White House, lighting our fire and burning our sage, and for 5 days, we will bear proud witness to President Obama’s final decision on Keystone XL, reminding him of the threat this tar sands pipeline poses to our climate, land, water and tribal rights. Throughout those 5 days, we will show the power of our communities with events ranging from prayers at Sec. Kerry’s home and an opening ceremony of tribes and ranchers on horseback in front of the White House.

On April 26th (note new date) we invite our friends and allies against the pipeline to join us as we conclude our camp and make our final, unmistakable message to President Obama. Our community of pipeline fighters just sent 2 million comments against the pipeline in just 30 days. We must follow this up with action in the streets on April 27th as we march with tribal leaders and individuals currently living with the risk tar sands to show all the beauty and power we represent. Everyone is needed and everyone is welcome. 

With his decision closer than ever, President Obama must know what is truly at stake, and see once more the power of the alliances that have turned Keystone XL into a turning point for our movements, and for our future. 

The Cowboy and Indian Alliance  (C.I.A) brings together tribal communities with ranchers and farmers living along the Keystone XL pipeline proposed route. Farmers and ranchers know the risk first-hand. They work the land every day. Tribes know the risk first-hand. They protect the sacred water, and defend sacred sites of their ancestors every day. They have united out of love and respect for the land and water on which we all depend.

This is not the first time Cowboys and Indians have come together to stop projects that risk our land and water. In the 80s, they came together to protect water and the Black Hills from uranium mining and risky munitions testing. In the American imagination, cowboys and Indians are still at odds. However, in reality, opposition to the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline has brought communities together like few causes in our history.  Tribes, farmers and ranchers are all people of the land, who consider it their duty as stewards to conserve the land and protect the water for future generations.

The C.I.A. asks President Obama a simple question: Is an export pipeline for dirty tar sands worth risking our sacred land and water for the next seven generations?

On June 25, 2013, President Obama said, “Our national interest will be served only if this project does not significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution.” Anyone with common sense knows the Keystone XL pipeline would exacerbate the climate crisis: an 830,000 barrel per day pipeline filled with tar sands and chemicals like benzene will make it easier for tar sands companies to dig up and burn more of the world’s dirtiest oil than they could with any other feasible alternative.

Our actions next month will show President Obama that we are living up to his call to “be the change we wish to see,” and that we stand with him to say no to Big Oil. Together we will make a clear promise that if President Obama goes back on his word and approves the Keystone XL pipeline, he will be met with the fiercest resistance from our Alliance and our allies from all walks of life. Bryan Brewer, President of the Oglala Sioux, speaks for us when he says, “We are ready to fight the pipeline, and our horses are ready.”

Please join us this April to tell President Obama to Reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, and protect our land, water, and climate. 

-The Cowboy Indian Alliance

Longest Walk 4 Return to Alcatraz schedule updated

The Longest Walk 4: Return to Alcatraz

By Longest Walk 4
Censored News
Photo: Ute Museum Colorado LW 2/Photo Brenda Norrell
New French translation, thank you Christine Prat!

Message from Long Walk 4 in DC: "We do need a cash injection for food supplies and gas. Please email tlw4rta@gmail.com to make arrangements if by western union."

In 1978 11 bills were introduced in the United States Congress that if passed would have harmed American Indian sovereign rights, with the worst of the bills calling for the abrogation of all Indian Treaties.  This inspired some people such as Dennis Banks and Bill Wahpepah to come up with a way of raising awareness about these bills and building support for Inidan Treaty rights.  They came up with an idea for a Walk across the land from Alcatraz to Washington D.C.  So on February 11th, 1978 The Longest Walk began with a Ceremony on Alcatraz where a Sacred Pipe was filled, and that Pipe was carried across the land, with staffs and other sacred items. What started as a response to anti-Indian legislation soon became an affirmation of Indigenous Sovereignty.  The Longest Walk was a spiritual walk, and the prayers were felt and heard by many Indigenous Peoples, as well as other Peoples from the four directions.  The same cannot be said by those in Washington DC.  Although all but one of the bills did not pass, the attitude in Washington toward finding new and creative ways to diminish Indian sovereignty did not end.

Longest Walk 4 Return to Alcatraz July 15 -- Dec. 22, 2013

The Longest Walk 4: Return to Alcatraz

Longest Walk 1978

Press Release

Posted at Censored News
English/French/Dutch

In 1978 11 bills were introduced in the United States Congress that if passed would have harmed American Indian sovereign rights, with the worst of the bills calling for the abrogation of all Indian Treaties.  This inspired some people such as Dennis Banks and Bill Wahpepah to come up with a way of raising awareness about these bills and building support for Indian Treaty rights.  They came up with an idea for a Walk across the land from Alcatraz to Washington D.C.  So on February 11th, 1978 The Longest Walk began with a Ceremony on Alcatraz where a Sacred Pipe was filled, and that Pipe was carried across the land, with staffs and other sacred items. What started as a response to anti-Indian legislation soon became an affirmation of Indigenous Sovereignty.  The Longest Walk was a spiritual walk, and the prayers were felt and heard by many Indigenous Peoples, as well as other Peoples from the four directions.  The same cannot be said by those in Washington DC.  Although all but one of the bills did not pass, the attitude in Washington toward finding new and creative ways to diminish Indian sovereignty did not end.

Long Walk 2008 Photos Brenda Norrell

Many years have passed, and the struggle for Indigenous Sovereignty has carried on and grown in many places and among many Indigenous nations.  There have been many sacred Walks and Runs such as The Longest Walk 2 (Northern and Southern Routes) and 3, the Sacred Run, the Peace and Dignity Runs, Water Walks, Freedom for Leonard Peltier Walk, and many others.  We have also seen the rise of Idle No More bring these issues to light for a new generation.  We acknowledge all of these, especially the recent inspirational Journey of Nishiyuu Walk by young people from the James Bay, and give thanks for what they have inspired and the prayers and spiritual strength they have generated.

A number of people who were on The Longest Walk in 1978, and a number of these other Walks and Runs, have seen the messages being carried to political leaders and to the non-Indigenous public many times only to have token support and then be forgotten about.  We have seen the nation-states take the words of sovereignty, self determination and self government and twist them to achieve an agenda of assimilation and corporataziation, thus achieving the abrogation of treaties through stealth.  We have seen agreements and settlements with hidden clauses and small print that amount to self termination.  We have seen the mantra of “good governance” being used to undermine the “good government” necessary for us as Indigenous Peoples to carry on with our responsibilities to our People, Lands and Waters.  

Long Walk 2008 Photos Brenda Norrell

On July 15th,, 2013 we will begin a Walk for our own Indigenous Peoples, to support all those Indigenous Peoples and Nations that are carrying on the struggle of affirming Indigenous Sovereignty; whether it be by stopping the exploitation of the land such as through tar sands development and pipelines; protecting and maintaining traditional spiritual beliefs; protecting sacred sites; stopping the exploitation or Indigenous women and children; and any other ways that People are affirming Indigenous Sovereignty rooted in the principles of respect and responsibility; with the guiding force is land based spiritual beliefs.

Alcatraz means a lot to those of us involved in this struggle. The time has come to make our voices heard again for our own Indigenous Peoples, as the original message affirming Indigenous Sovereignty has become clouded through the efforts of the nation-states.  The threats to our continued existence and way of life are more severe than ever, yet it has become better disguised.  We hope to help bring the original vision back to the forefront.

The Longest Walk 4: Return to Alcatraz will begin with a sunrise Ceremony at the Washington Monument on July 15, 2013.  From there we will walk along the route generally taken by the original The Longest Walk in 1978, following the I-70 corridor and going down to Wichita, Kansas, following Hwy 50 to Sacramento.  We will arrive on Alcatraz on December 21, 2013. This will be followed by an Indigenous Sovereignty Gathering on December 22, 2013.

For More Information:

The Longest Walk Organizing Committee email: tlw4rta@gmail.com

Website (soon to be updated): www.returntoalcatraz.comwww.returntoalcatraz.com

Facebook: The Longest Walk 4

Contacts:

Joey Silvas:                Central Coordinating

Mike Corral:                Web Related outreach

mike macorral123@yahoo.com

Michael Lane:                Logistics

wabus44@gmail.com

Morningstar Gali:            Media

mstargali@gmail.com

510-827-6719


LONGUE MARCHE 4, RETOUR A ALCATRAZ: 15 JUILLET-22 DECEMBRE 2013


On June 17, 2013, in AMERINDIENS EN LUTTE/NATIVE AMERICAN STRUGGLES, by Chris P
LONGUE MARCHE 4, RETOUR A ALCATRAZ: 15 JUILLET-22 DECEMBRE 2013

http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=1812

Communiqué de presse

Publié sur Censored News

Samedi 15 juin 2013

Traduction Christine Prat

En 1978, 11 projets de loi ont été présentés au Congrès des Etats-Unis, qui, s’ils avaient été adoptés, auraient miné les droits souverains des Amérindiens, le pire des projets étant celui qui demandait l’abrogation de tous les Traités avec les Indiens. Ceci a inspiré à des gens comme Dennis Banks et Bill Wahpepah l’idée de trouver des moyens de provoquer une prise de conscience de ces projets et de trouver du soutien pour les droits garantis aux Indiens par les Traités. Ils ont eu l’idée d’une Marche à travers tout le pays, d’Alcatraz à Washington D.C. Ainsi, le 11 février 1978, La Longue Marche a commencé par une Cérémonie à Alcatraz où une Pipe Sacrée a été bourrée, puis portée à travers le pays, avec des bâtons et autres objets sacrés. Ce qui avait commencé comme une réaction contre une législation anti-Indienne est vite devenu une affirmation de la Souveraineté Autochtone. La Longue Marche était une marche spirituelle, et les prières ont été ressenties et entendues par de nombreux Autochtones, de même que par d’autres Peuples des quatre directions. On ne peut pas dire la même chose des gens de Washington D.C. Bien que ces projets de loi, à l’exception d’un seul, n’aient pas été adoptés, l’attitude de Washington a toujours été de trouver des moyens nouveaux et créatifs pour entamer la souveraineté Indienne.

Beaucoup d’années ont passé et la lutte pour la Souveraineté Autochtone s’est poursuivie et intensifiée en beaucoup d’endroits et au sein de nombreuses nations Autochtones. Il y a eu beaucoup de Marches et de Courses sacrées, entre autres la Longue Marche 2 (itinéraires nord et sud) et la 3, la Course Sacrée, les Courses pour la Paix et la Dignité, des Marches pour l’Eau, la Marche pour la Libération de Leonard Peltier et beaucoup d’autres. Nous les saluons toutes, en particulier le récent Voyage de Nishiyuu, accompli par des jeunes de la Baie James et nous sommes reconnaissants pour ce qu’ils ont inspiré et pour les prières et la force spirituelle qu’ils ont suscitées.

Certains de ceux qui ont participé à la Longue Marche de 1978 et à d’autres Marches et Courses, ont vu à de nombreuses reprises comment les messages délivrés aux dirigeants politiques et au public non-Autochtone, ont juste reçu un soutien symbolique puis ont été oubliés. Nous avons vu les états-nations reprendre les mots souveraineté, auto-détermination, autogouvernement et les déformer pour arriver à un programme d’assimilation et de privatisation, parvenant ainsi à l’abrogation des traités par des moyens détournés. Nous avons vu des accords et des règlements avec des clauses cachées et des notes en petits caractères qui équivalaient à une autodestruction. Nous avons vu la litanie de la « bonne gouvernance » être utilisée pour saper le « bon gouvernement » qui nous est nécessaire, à nous les Peuples Autochtones, pour exercer nos responsabilités vis-à-vis de notre Peuple, de nos Terres et de nos Eaux.

Le 15 juillet 2013 nous entamerons une Marche de nos propres Peuples Autochtones, pour soutenir tous les Peuples et Nations Autochtones qui sont en train de lutter pour affirmer la Souveraineté Autochtone ; que ce soit pour bloquer l’exploitation de la terre, comme par le développement de l’utilisation des sables bitumineux et la construction d’oléoducs ; pour protéger et entretenir les croyances spirituelles traditionnelles ; pour protéger les sites sacrés ; pour mettre un terme à l’exploitation des femmes et des enfants Autochtones ; et toutes les autres manières par lesquelles les Gens affirment la Souveraineté Autochtone enracinée dans les principes de respect et de responsabilité ; avec comme force pour nous guider les croyances spirituelles fondées sur la terre.

Alcatraz représente beaucoup pour ceux d’entre nous engagés dans cette lutte. Le temps est venu de nous faire entendre à nouveau, pour nos propres Peuples Autochtones, vu que le message initial affirmant la Souveraineté Autochtone a été brouillé par les efforts des états-nations. Les menaces planant sur la poursuite de notre existence et de notre mode de vie sont plus graves que jamais, cependant elles sont mieux déguisées. Nous espérons ramener la vision d’origine au premier plan.

La Longue Marche 4 : Le Retour à Alcatraz commencera par une Cérémonie du lever du soleil au Monument de Washington le 15 juillet 2013. De là nous marcherons le long du trajet généralement emprunté par la Première Longue Marche de 1978, suivant le corridor I-70 jusqu’à Wichita, Kansas, puis le long de l’autoroute 50 jusqu’à Sacramento. Nous arriverons à Alcatraz le 21 décembre 2013. Ceci sera suivi par un Rassemblement pour la Souveraineté Autochtone le 22 décembre 2013.


Pour plus d’information :

Comité d’Organisation de la Longue Marche (The Longest Walk Organizing Committee) :

Email : tlw4rta@gmail.com

Site web: www.returntoalcatraz.com

Facebook: The Longest Walk 4


Contacts:

Joey Sivas: Central Coordinating

Mike Corral: Web Related outreach mike_macorral1123@yahoo.com

Michael Lane: Logistics wabus44@gmail.com

Morningstar Gali: Media mstargali@gmail.com tel: (00 1) 510-827-6719

The NAIS Gazette
Dutch translation 
http://www.bloggen.be/natam/archief.php?ID=2253035

Bron : Censored News :

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.be/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-07:00&updated-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00-07:00&max-results=50

In 1978 werden wetsvoorstellen voorgedragen die, wanneer ze zouden aangenomen worden de soevereine rechten van de Native Amerikanen veel schade konden berokkenen.

Het ergste wetsvoorstel stelde het annuleren van alle Indiaanse verdragen voor.

Dit inspireerde Dennis Banks en Bill Wahpepah om een manier te zoeken om mensen bewust te maken en op te roepen tot steun voor de rechten van de Indiaanse verdragen.

Zij kwamen met het idee voor een mars doorheen het land, van Alcatraz tot Washington DC.

Dus, op 11 februari 1978 begon de Longest Walk met een ceremonie op Alcatraz waar een sacrale pijp gevuld werd. Deze pijp werd samen met andere sacrale voorwerpen meegedragen .

Wat begon as een antwoord op de anti-indiaanse wetgeving werd al vlug een bevestiging van de indiaanse soevereiniteit.

De Longest Walk was een spirituele mars, en de gebeden werden gevoeld en gehoord door zowel inheemse volkeren, als de volkeren van de vier windstreken.

Datzelfde kan niet gezegd worden van de wettenmakers in Washington DC.

Alhoewel alle wetsvoorstellen behalve een ,van de tafel werden gevaagd , is de houding van Washington om nieuwe en creatieve manieren te vinden om de indiaanse soevereiniteit te beknotten nog niet veranderd.

Vele jaren zijn voorbijgegaan, en de strijd voor de inheemse soevereiniteit werd verder gevoerd en breidde uit onder vele inheemse naties.

Er zijn vele sacrale marsen en lopen geweest zoals de Longest Walk 2 ,Norhern and Soutern Routes en 3, The Sacred Run, de Peace and Dignity Ryn, Water Walks, Freedom For Leonard Peltier Walk, en vele anderen.

We hebben ook de opgang van Idle No More gezien die bewustmaking bracht bij de jongere generaties. Wij honoreren allen , vooral de laatste inspirerende Reis van Nishiyuu Walk door jonge mensen van de James Bay, en danken hen voor hun inspiratie, hun gebeden en de spirituele kracht die zij opgeroepen hebben.

Vele van diegenen die aan de Longest Walk 1978  , en een aantal van de andere Walks hebben meegemaakt hebben ondervonden dat de boodschappen die uitgedragen werden naar de politieke leiders en naar het niet- inheemse publiek een glimp van steun opbrachten om daarna vergeten te worden.

Wij hebben gezien hoe de natie -staten woorden als soevereiniteit, zelfbeschikking en zelfregering genomen en verdraaid hebben zodat ze pasten in hun assimilatie en corporatisatie agenda, om aldus door diefstal het annuleren van de verdragen alsnog  te bekomen.

Wij hebben overeenkomsten en afspraken gezien met verborgen clausules en kleine lettertjes die zelf vernietiging in de hand werken.

We hebben de mantra van “good governance” gebruikt zien worden om het “good governement” te ondermijnen dat noodzakelijk is om als inheemse volken onze verantwoordelijkheden tegenover ons volk, land en waters te dragen.

Op 15 juli 2013 zullen we starten met de ‘Walk for our own Indigenous Peoples” tot steun van alle inheemse naties die strijden voor inheemse soevereiniteit; zij het door : de exploitatie van het land door teerzanden en pijplijnen te stoppen; door het beschermen van het traditionele spirituele geloof; beschermen van sacrale sites; uitbuiting van inheemse vrouwen en kinderen; en zich op eender welke manier inzetten voor de inheemse soevereiniteit ,die diep geworteld zit in de hoofdlijnen van respect en verantwoordelijkheid; met de gidsende kracht van het spirituele geloof.

Alcatraz betekent veel voor diegenen van ons die betrokken zijn bij die strijd.

De tijd is aangebroken om onze stemmen opnieuw te laten horen voor onze eigen inheemse volkeren vooral nu de oorspronkelijke boodschap betreffende inheemse soevereiniteit vertroebelt wordt door de inspanningen van de natie - staten. De bedreiging voor ons bestaan en manier van leven zijn ernstiger dan ooit tevoren, alhoewel meer verdekt.

Wij hopen de oorspronkelijke visie terug op de voorgrond te kunnen brengen.

De Longest Walk 4 Return to Alcatraz zal starten met een zonsopgang -ceremonie bij het Washington Monument op 15 juli. Vandaar volgen we de route van de oorspronkelijke Longest Walk in 1978, we volgen de I-70 corridor en zo naar Wichita, Kansas, langs Hwy 50 tot Sacramento.

Wij zullen rond 21 december aankomen op Alcatraz gevolgd op 22 december met  een Indigeneous Souvereignty Gathering .

Website (soon to be updated)

www.returntoalcatraz.com

Photos: Renegade Walkers to DC: 250 miles to DC

Renegade Walkers for Diabetes, with 250 miles to go to DC! Carl, Manny, Lisa, T-Hawk and Paul!
New photos posted Sunday, June 26, 2011:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/06/walkin-in-renegade-walkers-long-walk-3.html