It's amazing to me how innocent this day looked at 5 a.m. The dogs were warm and sleepy curled
My mind hadn't really started to fire yet, and National Public Radio had yet to inform me for the day - from every journalistic angle - just how screwed we all are .
Then I remembered the picture.............an armed sniper in military garb pointing a weapon at a group of peaceful protesters, women and children. In a land whose soil still wears the breath of the men, women , and children who, for over 120 years, and through no fault of their own, have been done poorly - maliciously and murderously - by governments and white men, promising ad infinitum, without ever the slightest intention of making good on their word.
This is how it starts for me. I am absolutely ineffective at my own life. A hot mess on shaky legs sporting' a mouthful of razor blades and a firecracker in each nostril in a dark room.
I'm confused as hell most of the time, But There's always a thread that I can't define or erase - that has tied me inextricably , to the beautiful and graced breath of heaven. Tied me to Love. To kindness and to fairness. To the lessons learned on the lap of my Grandmother, and at the swift loving hands of my mother. By the example of the greatest people I could ever hope to know.
Lessons learned without any sugar-coating From the greatest man I ever knew, and a whole community of men just like him. I remain committed to the whole-hearted belief that the benevolent example of Jesus Christ, wasn't a religion to create - it was an example to follow. IMHO That human example remains today the standard that humans were meant to ascribe to.
I have been given principles to live by that supersede governments, trends, or generations. I fall short often and fail miserably with considerable consistency. Occasionally we get one through the hoop. This one I will stand on.
I suffer no illusion that I will save anyone. I might just save myself from myself. I might be able to tell God and my Grandmother that I am grateful - and that I tried to help.
Enough about you - let's talk about me:-)
The actions by the government and by big oil, in Standing Rock, are not new.These folks have been getting screwed for a couple hundred years. That it's been going on for generations seems to be justification enough for continuation of the policy. "It's always been that way" "Not my problem" "The desires of a few are far more important than the needs of many" "Who cares"
Anyone who has ever been screwed over - marginalized, molested, maligned or abused - by someone they're supposed to be able to trust, in their own home or school or church, can surely understand the horror and rage of this abject arrogance.
Walk into anyone else homes in Americas living room with a jackhammer, dig up their yard, kick over the TV set, and piss in their drinking water - see how that goes. You'd get arrested in Beverly Hills, or Bismarck, or any other white-centric city in America.
On the Rez folks get arrested and beaten, shot, persecuted and blamed for objecting to poisoned water, for objecting to criminal profiteers raping their homes and their children future for another generation. A cycle of poverty is cultivated and exploited. These folks deserve a choice in their own home and on their own land.
The original citizens and their children - Native citizens of America weren't granted citizenship in their own country until 1924. They've survived what can only honestly be described as a quite effective campaign of genocide that's run for 200 years. There's been, quite literally, no concern in the American consciousness around the indians plight, for generations. This is a different day.
I made a mention on Facebook that I was going to go to Standing Rock. No specifics or plan. By the end of this day I've been astounded. A few conversations have morphed into a small army of activists rolling up their sleeves, rapidly shaping plans for a couple truckloads of supplies, Drop-off points for clothes, tents, etc - a music benefit or possibly 3 , and initial contact with Standing Rock Tribe to seek the guidance and blessing of the Tribe and Elders. Conversations with musicians and business owners all eager to lend their voice and talents.
I'll keep you all posted daily for the next month. We're heading north and it's gonna be a ride.
I need your help. I take any assistance as a personal favor. We all need to see this get right.
In the next 30 days I plan to keep you all posted as to our progress. We're gonna go all "Hillbilly Helper" and the thing is...................................If you help me, we can make a difference.
Good night, God Bless - Talk Catcha later:-)
List of needed supplies in Standing Rock:
Supplies, cash, or check donations can be sent to:
Sacred Stone Camp P.O. Box 1011, Fort Yates, ND 58538
or
202 Main Street Fort Yates, ND 58538
TOP NEEDS
FIREWOOD (PREFERABLY OAK, MAPLE, ASH)
TIPIS/TIPI POLES/TIPI LINERS FOR WINTER
PICK-UP TRUCK W/ 4 WHEEL DRIVE
TRAILERS/CAMPERS (FOR WINTER SHELTERS)
SNOW TIRES - VARIOUS SIZES
GIFT CARDS FOR LOWES OR MENARDS (THERE IS NO HOME DEPOT NEARBY)
WALL TENTS WITH WOODSTOVES AND POLES
SLEEPING BAGS FOR SUBZERO TEMPERATURES (INC. MILITARY STYLE)
FULL SUPPLY LIST
BANNERS, SHEETS (WE LOVE IT WHEN YOU MAKE BANNERS AND SEND THEM TO US!)
BATTERY PACKS FOR CHARGING PHONES
CANVAS - HEAVY DUTY ONLY PLEASE
CAR PORTS
CARTS AND WHEELBARROWS FOR HAULING WOOD
CIGARETTES-MARLBORO REDS AND CAMELS
COME ALONGS
FIREWOOD (PREFERABLY OAK, MAPLE, ASH) <<< THIS IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST WINTER NEEDS
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
PROPANE
FUR BLANKETS
TESORO GAS CARDS
GAS GENERATORS
GIFT CARDS - LOWES/MENARDS, AMAZON, VERIZON
INSULATED CARHARTT TYPE COVERALLS, OVERALLS, COATS
LIGHTERS
MATERIAL FOR TOBACCO TIES (ALL COLORS)
MONEY
PAINT (INC. SPRAY PAINT)
PICK UP TRUCK
POWER INVERTER
PROPANE HEATERS (SMALL)
ROPES, TIE DOWNS
SHIPPING CONTAINER 20 FT
SLEEPING BAGS (FOR 0 DEGREES F AND LOWER - PLEASE NO WARM WEATHER BAGS AT THIS TIME)
SNOWMOBILES
SNOW TIRES (INQUIRE FOR SIZES)
SOLAR CHARGERS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
SOLAR PANELS, INVERTER
STORAGE BINS - HEAVY DUTY - ALL SIZES
TARPS - HEAVY DUTY ONLY
TIRE CHAINS
TENTS (THAT CAN STAND UP TO HIGH WINDS, SNOW, SUBZERO TEMPS)
THERMAL BED ROLLS
TIPIS AND TIPI POLES
TIPI LINERS FOR WINTER
TOW STRAPS
WALKIE TALKIES WITH LONG RANGE, CB RADIOS
WATER BUFFALO (TANK)
WATER TANK WITH HEATER
WINTER COATS (FOR VERY COLD TEMPS, GOOD CONDITION ONLY PLEASE)
WINTER SALT FOR ROADS
WOOD STOVES (MOSTLY SMALL ONES FOR TIPIS)
YOUNG WARRIORS!!
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