The Spirit of Standing Rock




Dear Friends, 
  
Aho! I have just returned from the journey to Standing Rock. My spirit and heart full with love and supernatural mojo. A thousand drums beating and the song of the river in my soul! I feel blessed to have joined over 300 tribal nations and 10,000 allies from around the globe banding together to protect the water and indigenous sovereignty. Standing Rock is the nucleus of change, centered around deep prayer and nonviolent resistance rising up to face brutal militarized force from the Dakota Access Pipeline, regional police and National Guard. There's beauty in the face of darkness and struggle and it is the most life affirming feeling you could imagine. Together we have the power to stop the pipeline and defend the sacred and we must act now. I write to share my story and the word about two benefit concerts this weekend in New England. Check out my interview in Seven Days and read on to hear about my experience at Standing Rock and ways to plug in, step back and stand up! Spread the good word and join us. 

BENEFIT CONCERTS: 
Friday, Dec. 2 – Burlington, VT – Wyld Lyfe: A Benefit Concert for 350VT – Tickets 
All proceeds support 350VT's grassroots climate change initiatives 

Sunday, Dec. 4 – Northampton, MA – Stand w. Standing Rock Benefit – More info
All of the proceeds will go to the One Nation Camp at Oceti Sakowin, Standing Rock


On Thanksgiving day, over 1000 natives and allies joined together at the river for peaceful prayer and nonviolent direct action. The police and National guard occupied the top of the sacred burial mound with military weapons. We set up a makeshift bridge across the Cannonball River and 400 people crossed over, holding ground and chanting in prayer to protect the water, calling for DAPL to pack up and put an end to the pipeline. It was one of the most powerful spiritual experiences of my life!
 

Many friends have been reaching out to me who want to support Standing Rock - thank you! I wanted to share some information and suggestions for folks who want to support on the ground and from home. 
  
The Lakota elders are calling for more natives and allies to join the prayerful resistance at Standing Rock and at home. There are major actions in the works for this weekend with over 2000 veterans and leaders of faith joining the camp. Supporting our indigenous brothers and sisters on the ground was one of the most moving and spiritual experiences of my life. They need us now, the earth needs us now, the water and all living beings need us now! In response to the Army Corps' eviction threat - the indigenous people aren't going anywhere! They've been holding their ground and fighting for their sovereignty for over 500 years on this continent - sadly, this isn't new news! 
  
I recommend reading these resources to learn how to become an ally. More here in my post.




Supporting from home: 
*Make an appeal to President Obama and the Army Corps of Engineers to value indigenous people and rescind all permits and deny the easement to cross the Missouri River just north of the Standing Rock Reservation and straight through treaty lands. Call 202-456-1414 and contact your local legislators. 

*Donate to Standing Rock. The Oceti Sakowin Camp (main camp) is the best place to send $ 
  
*Join national actions this week. More info here



*This is much bigger than Standing Rock alone. This is a momentous moment in our shared history to revive the sacred, protect the planet, build sovereignty for all indigenous people, and decolonize our minds, actions, and nation. On Monday night at an intertribal solidarity meeting in Boston, a Wompanoag organizer brought to our attention: “as white settler allies, one of the best ways to support is to give native person(s) an opportunity to heal. get to really know them” 
-What is their daily experience like? 
-What has their life been like? 
-How can we become true allies? 
-It is ok to feel discomfort when building these relationships and learning about decolonization. That is a natural response to something completely unnatural. 

*Let us each begin to be aware of how we are colonized and how we are affected by and perpetrate white supremacy. Check out these powerful resources on anit-racism for collective liberation.



Friends, I am grateful to be connected to you all. Let us rise up together and amplify our song of love and resistance! Spread the word and see you soon. 

Love, 

Avi


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