At the heart of the matter is the human and civil rights that Indigenous people have in this country and as part of the Indigenous global community. The sacrifices that Indigenous peoples have already made in the United States in regard to land, natural resources, water, energy and standard of living are enormous, then to witness another sacrifice to sacred ground is another example of the endless infliction of historical trauma. This is why the effort to defend what is right at Standing Rock is representative of all Indigenous Nations, it is the same, seemingly endless struggle all Indigenous people face to protect the natural world and its gifts to all human beings. The intentions at Standing Rock were never to promote violence, the people who are there push back for what they believe is right with the knowledge and resources they have available and in this case it is the presence of people.

Nation by nation flags have been presented at the Standing Rock No DAPL Camp for the purpose of demonstrating Indigenous Nationhood support and solidarity. This form of activism is much different than what many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people experienced in the past regarding individual nation’s outcry for support but not so different than the efforts that were shown in The Trail of Broken Treaties march in 1972 and The Longest Walk of 1978. The No DAPL movement involves all Indigenous Nations and all people because it is about colonization and control of waters on Indigenous lands and more broadly, treaty lands and the long term consequences of potentially polluted waters.

The camp itself is a learning community where one can meet and learn of many diverse nations Indigenous to the United States, thus many supporters have witnessed the strength and blessings that have been provided by Indigenous Nations to the No DAPL Camp. For example; on Oct. 7, the Pascua Yaqui Nation presented in a traditional fashion their flag to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in support of their message regarding NO DAPL. Pascua Yaqui entered the camp with a procession which is a tradition in their home pueblo in Tucson, Arizona led by their spokepersons— Andy Flores, the maso pahkola (deer dancer), the maso moro (deer headsman) the pahko’olas (dancers), the drummer and flutist, the violinist and harpist followed by the Kantoras (women singers) all dressed in traditional regalia. The flag was made by hand by Andrea Valencia who is a daughter to one of our great Yaqui headsman Anselmo Valencia (now deceased). I was very honored to be a part of this procession and to learn of the support of the Pascua Yaqui tribal chairman Peter Yuccapicio and tribal council who supported the long trip with tribal vans, camping equipment, cooking gear, food and gas. More important, the deer dance was performed and its significance was interpreted to English so everyone could understand the blessing they had just been given. This was a perfect example of the non-violence qualities the NO DAPL movement has provided from an authentic Indigenous perspective.

On Nov. 1, a NO DAPL rally and march took place in Bemidji. This symbolic gesture of non-violence support allowed native people in and around the Bemidji area to show their support for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who otherwise did not have the means and/or resources to travel there. This demonstration of support and unity is what makes Indigenous communities representative of their unique Nations. The rally and march was supported by the Bemidji Area Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous Environmental Network, BSU’s Council of Indian Students, BSU’s Student’s for the Environment and the American Indian Resource Center.

On Oct. 10, Interim Provost Dr. Michael Anderson opened up the panel discussion regarding the International Indian Treaty Council’s support of Indigenous Treaties by reading a excerpt from the Columbus Journal. His sensitivity to matter of Indigenous People’s Treaty Day and what that means to Indigenous people in our communities in and around Bemidji State University’s campus was heartfelt.

Did you know?

That at the Minnesota Indian Education Association Conference on Nov. 16, in Welch, Minn., at the Treasure Island Resort and Casino that yours truly, Dr. Vivian Delgado, was awarded Outstanding American Indian Post-Secondary Teaching Award for her work on the four-year degree program in Indigenous Studies at Bemidji State University.