Dec. 6, 2016
Vol.5 Issue 12.1
To stand in solidarity with the struggles of another is a soul-stretching experience. We affirm in this season of the church year that God did just that by coming to live a human life in the person of Jesus. And Jesus commanded us to follow in that model: "Love one another as I have loved you."
At our 2015 Annual Conference Session we made a commitment to be in relationship with and learn from our Native American brothers and sisters. Rev. Aric Clark, a Presbyterian clergy person serving our Sherwood UMC congregation, took the opportunity the week of Thanksgiving to stand in solidarity with the water protectors at Standing Rock in North Dakota. He shares his experience and insights below. Be sure to watch his video to hear about the complexity of the situation. While this is about a particular pipeline and river, it is also about the total history of the relationship between the native peoples of this country and the colonizers, and all of us who are their descendants.
The situation at Standing Rock is very fluid. Aric wrote this less than a week ago, but just this past Sunday the Army Corps of Engineers announced they would not provide the easement for the pipeline to proceed under the river. That is conditional good news to the water protectors, but they realize that a new administration could change things quickly again. They have no plans to dismantle their camp anytime soon.
Below Aric's article are links to other stories of being at Standing Rock, to educate yourself and how to provide help.
This is an opportunity for us to learn, and to have our souls expanded. May it be so.
Blessings,
Linda Grund-Clampit
Cascadia District Administrative Assistant
A Witness From Standing Rock
11/30/16 by Rev. Aric Clark
Tepee at Standing Rock
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Over the week of Thanksgiving I joined an interfaith delegation coordinated by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to go to Standing Rock. Eleven of us stayed for four days in the “big” camp, Oceti Sakowin, where we helped with construction and the winterizing of the camp, learned about the struggle, and joined in nonviolent direct action, prayer, and ceremony to attempt to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. It was a profound and powerful experience.
The resistance to the Pipeline is at a critical juncture. The Army Corps of Engineers and the Governor of North Dakota have both issued eviction notices of dubious legality to the camps, which are positioned on treaty land.
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Winter has arrived in North Dakota and the camps are in the process of receiving critical supplies for enduring the cold, such as composting toilets. There is some question whether the police intend to blockade the camps to prevent them from receiving these necessary supplies. Furthermore, despite the Army Corps of Engineers withholding the necessary easement permits for the pipeline to cross the Missouri River until the energy companies consult with the tribes, construction continues illegally and has advanced to the edge of the river. They have the drill needed to drill under the river and intend to continue construction knowing that whatever fines they are forced to pay will be miniscule in comparison to the profits they stand to gain from completing the pipeline. Residents in the camps are seriously, and justifiably, concerned that the escalation of violence we have seen from the police in recent weeks will continue and that soon we may see unarmed peaceful water protectors losing their lives in this conflict.
I have included a video of my reflections from my time at the front lines. I urge you to watch it, and follow the included links to get the most accurate and helpful information about the Standing Rock resistance. The Water Protectors welcome
your prayers and donations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyYY6VSVyqM
If your congregation or community would like me to come and do a presentation about Standing Rock you may contact me at aricclark33@gmail.com
More information and links to provide aid