Finally got moved, back in Oglala camp, listened to various speakers and singers this morning, and while standing in line for lunch. Robby Romero sang again, and a Native Hawaiian with an electric ukulele, and Joan Baez. Oh, the one photo is of the sage, cedar, and cansasa (chahn shah shah, tobacco, inner bark of red willow), for prayers and offerings. Heading back to the council area.
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Click for full size.
© C. Ford, all rights reserved.
Trying to catch up here, when I can get a signal. Ooh, let’s see. Many elders spoke yesterday afternoon and into evening. Rick was back in the kitchen cooking frybread. Emmet (in the yellow shirt) who is 84, soon to be 85, who has been organizing runs all over the world since 1971, to spread the message that we are all related and that all life is sacred, spoke of the many places he has been in the world; and his most memorable run, in 80 below windchill, running with the four-leggeds, wild horses, and how that was such an honor, to be allowed to run with them. Dolores Taken Alive spoke, as one of the oldest residents of Standing Rock, of how it is time for our way of life to become the way of life for all people. Bear Woman spoke of the United States bankruptcy in 1933, and treason against treaties. Youth rallies will be taking place on Tuesday, to get prepared for winter. (We’ll be bringing wood in next week). There are now more flags here than the United Nations. A delegation from Samson Cree from Alberta, Canada was here yesterday, and presented their flag. Solemn people, who are fighting so hard for their land and water. A Haudenosaunee women’s group of singers came into camp, and sang two beautiful songs. A young Apache woman from New Mexico introduced herself yesterday, with a voice full of tears and joy. Robby Romero is here, and he sang Heartbeat. Joan Baez showed up last night, and there was a rap concert which lasted for hours.
A person donated a brand new Toyota truck yesterday, and today, a gorgeous bus pulled in, full of supplies, and with the news the bus was being donated, too! It was roasting hot yesterday, but the winds came up last night, and are still with us. Chill and windy windy today. Oh, also, a huge semi truck came in last night, completely loaded with wood.
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Geese!
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Lilac Bud, click for full size.
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Grackle Dance, click for full size.
© C. Ford, all rights reserved.
Okay, wandered back to the council area, took the five walking sticks we brought to donate (ones that Rick had made), and after they were admired, they were taken over to be given to the council members. We decided to stay in the shade of the donation tent for a bit, it’s roasting hot out here today, but there’s a good prairie wind blowing. An elder made offerings in the four directions, as people came in, and people left. Those who have to leave today have been honking and waving and flying flags all the way out of the camp and down the main road, not wanting to leave. We finally shifted ourselves closer to the council fire to hear the latest news. There’s a lot going on legally, with actions planned on the state and federal front. The National Guard is now deployed solely to “protect” the governor, who is so invested in oil, he may as well be made of the stuff. The word came down that martial law training was started in Ft. Carson in Colorado. U.S. Marshals wanted to come into the camp, but they have not been invited. The regular cops want nothing to do with us.
.
THEN, everyone in the council area started pointing and making noises, wambli oyate (eagle people) was overhead, and hovered over the council fire a while, then flew off into the sun – everyone was standing and following his flight, then everyone there went up to get tobacco to make an offering to the wambli oyate. It was an awe and emotion filled moment.
I watched a young girl make her own amusement, and caught some of the kites as we came back to our camp.
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Good morning. Woke up, got the dogs out of their tent, and watered. Wandered off for coffee and some breakfast, eggs, oatmeal, banana and watermelon. Listened to a man sing a song to the day, then wandered back to our camp out in the hills. Off to go find the horse race now!
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From Lofty:
1. Pink gums next to a brand new bike path 2. Old metal gate drunkenly hanging on from when there were sheep yards. 3. Ancient gum tree where the oldest wood is long since eaten away. 4. Onkaparinga Wetlands, filled for the first time in many years.
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© Lofty, all rights reserved.
Some shots from yesterday, actually, when I couldn’t get a connection to post. A tipi was set up by the communal area for everyone to sign. I think another one is going to be needed! I found a small space for our name. Then there was squash drying, off behind the kitchens. We had a wonderful corn and potato soup yesterday, and now it’s time to search out coffee, I think I want about a gallon. :D
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Oh, man, it’s camp as far as you can see! Okay, starting with the right, then the middle, middle, and left. Didn’t get behind me.
The weather was beautiful, and the sunset was spectacular! The mood in the camps is a good one, but cautious. Everyone’s is still expecting another major thing to drop, because so far, the construction company has been less than honorable, as everyone knows, and while nice noises have been made, no really expects them to stop.
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Mourning Dove, click for full size.
© C. Ford, all rights reserved.
Getting set up. We’re way out now, the camp swelled to about 3 times the size it was when we left on Wednesday. Many more delegations have arrived. It’s amazing! If you can, get here, this is history being made!