{"id":2093,"date":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www-prod.greenpeace.org\/usa\/campaign-updates\/2093\/time-standing-rock\/"},"modified":"2024-11-22T04:39:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T04:39:08","slug":"time-standing-rock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/time-standing-rock\/","title":{"rendered":"My Time at Standing Rock"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was truly an honor to be able to go to Standing Rock and represent Greenpeace in a humble way. Being surrounded by fellow Indigenous water protectors was grounding and allowed for the continued healing of ancestral trauma that many of us in Indian country have to deal with on a daily basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dakota Access Pipeline Red Warrior Camp
MJ, a young water protector patrolling the camp for security with his horse Champagne. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe has opposed the Dakota Access Pipeline since first learning about plans for the pipeline in 2014. But its only been in recent months that the issue has gained national attention, as thousands of Water Protectors have gathered in North Dakota in an attempt to block the 1,200-mile project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By<\/em> Harmony Lambert (Chumash Nation)<\/i><\/p>\n

Three weeks ago, I returned from a three-week stint at the Oceti Sakowin Camp in Standing Rock. While there, I represented Greenpeace in the most important way the organization could show up: I listened, supported, and helped winterize camp.<\/p>\n

I spent my time there with the Indigenous Peoples Power Project (IP3)<\/a>, which is a network of Indigenous trainers across the country that answers the call for direct action and campaigning support of local Indigenous communities; our aim is to put organizing and non-violent direct action tools and tactics in the hands of fellow Indigenous people so they can continue their local struggles for themselves.<\/p>\n

In an interview I did recently, I was told that there was little chance that we would win this fight against Dakota Access. And I said that I think \u2014 and a lot of others around camp think \u2014 that the pipeline project was already dead, the company just didn\u2019t know it yet. It was a bold statement to make, but it was backed up with continued pressure and action against construction on behalf of water protectors and allies in Standing Rock, as well as supporters across the world. Two days later, the Army Corps of Engineers made the announcement that it had denied the easement to Dakota Access.<\/p>\n

Every day at camp was filled with new experiences, challenges, strategy meetings, and planning. Almost everything came together the day before or day of, and yet camp and events tended to run smoothly. People were generally happy, laser-focused on stopping the pipeline, and creating a community where everyone looked out for each other. In the weeks I was there, people were intent on building bridges between different camps and working closer together than in the past.<\/p>\n

The sense of urgency and need for unity was palpable the closer the pipeline came to completion.<\/h2>\n