Gatherings on the water of the indigenous peoples of the coastal Pacific Northwest are beautiful traditions. People paddle between Oregon, Washington and Canada for such events as the annual Canoe Journeys in the Pacific Northwest.
The paddle this year was to Nisqually. Next August, the We Wai Kai and the We Wai Kum nations will welcome canoe families from around the world to Quadra Island and Campbell River, B.C. These are celebratory and ceremonial events that canoe families look forward to each year.
But today, there is an even more important reason for the canoe families to gather. Families from as far away as Alaska have gathered on the banks of the Missouri River and have launched on a two-day journey.
This is a peaceful, spiritual paddle down the river through Bismarck in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline being built through and near tribal lands and river in North Dakota. They are paddling in support of their Standing Rock Sioux relatives.
Canoe Families from Nisqually, Puyallup, Muckleshoot Tribes of Washington, Warm Springs and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Alaska, are joining the Standing Rock Sioux and thousands of other paddlers on the Missouri. Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/09/05/idle-no-more-announces-washington-paddle-standing-rock-2016-165684
As has been repeated over and over these past weeks, “Water is Life.” As I delve into the issue, I have found many instances of pipeline leaks, oil train leaks and leaks from oil carrying ships into the waters we all depend on. It is our Native people who are leading the environmental charge. We all need to lend them support and well wishes in this spiritual journey.
In New Mexico, people at Pojoaque Pueblo just north of Santa Fe are gathering in support of the Standing Rock Sioux.
I remain perplexed as to why the mainstream media does not seem to be covering this important event.
“From the Salish Sea to the Missouri River ~ Standing with the Standing Rock Sioux!”
Follow these hashtags on social media and look for opportunities to lend your support:
#NoDAPL #WaterIsLife
More information on the paddle is on this Facebook event page.
How to help the Standing Rock Sioux.
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