MSNBC News in attendance at camp announcement
By Karin Eagle
Native Sun News Staff Writer IDEAL — In what is being called an alliance of tribes, rural neighbors, and landowners, united in a prayer of protection for the land, a Spirit Camp is planned as a demonstration of the spiritual will of the people. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe took the reins in protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline by holding an opening ceremony for their Spirit Camp, “Iyuksan.” The RST Council unanimously passed RST Resolution 2014-29, stating that Tribe “objects to and refuses to sign” the amended Programmatic Agreement, a document imposed upon the tribe by the Federal Government to attempt to meet legally required consultation requirements. Russell Eagle Bear, a member of the RST Council said “It is our job as the Tribal Council to take action to protect the health and welfare of our people, and this resolution puts the federal government on notice.” The “Iyuksan” Camp as it is known to the Lakota is a term which translates into “the Turn,” and is indicative of the physical appearance of the pipe as it turns at the Spirit Camp location. “We aim to turn this pipe around and send it back to where it came from,” said Eagle Bear, referring to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. A convoy of 80 vehicles led by a Rosebud Tribal Police vehicle made a spirited procession from Mission to the Spirit Camp located near the Tribal Community of Ideal. “It’s good to see all of our relatives here. It’s good to see the all little ones here, this is what we are here for – to protect the future generations, for clean air, clean water and good land,” said Cyril “Whitey” Scott, President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Scott also asked the people of Rosebud to boycott the Ampride Station in Mission, and plans to ask the tribal council to revoke their business license. People gathered in the parking lot of the convenience store in preparation to caravan to the camp site were told by management they needed to leave because they were trespassing. “Today we stand together, today we stand united,” stated Brandon Sazue, President of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. “The KXL pipeline will not come through here; I will die if I have too.” “You can feel the power here,” stated Bryan Brewer, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. “This will be non-violent, we will take our coup stick and count coup. This Thursday the OST tribal council is going to declare war on the Keystone XL pipeline.” A total of 180 vehicles made their way to the camp to attend the opening ceremony which was attended by tribal leaders from the Oceti Sakowin, the seven Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation, and several spiritual leaders from the same group. Nebraska representatives from the Cowboy Indian Alliance, and Ed Schultz from MSNBC were also in attendance. The camp consists of a wall of 1,500 lb. grass bales surrounding 7 tipis representing the Seven Council Fires. It is planted on a high piece of land owned by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and visible from the nearby highway. The location for the Spirit Camp was selected for its proximity to the planned route for the Keystone XL Pipeline. “We have several options for making more camps, and more importantly we’re able to make more camps,” explained Eagle Bear, indicating that other locations are near the White River and near to the proposed “Man Camp Site” in Colome. Planted firmly across the front are flags for each of the Seven Tribes mounted on 35 foot pine poles. The camp has its own sweat lodge next to a tipi that will be manned twenty-four hours a day to watch over any construction progress. After the ceremony was concluded the camp was fed out of two Army tents which are also surrounded by a wall of grass bales. Ed Schultz conducted interviews of the leadership of the Spirit Camp in preparation for an upcoming documentary to be released by MSNBC about the opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline. Schultz also plans to travel to Washington D.C. to attend the national event planned by the Cowboy Indian Alliance from April 22-27. The Ceremony included prayers, honor songs, and an address from the tribal and spiritual leaders. The nature of the camp as explained by Rosebud Sioux President, Cyril “Whitey” Scott, was to “put a concrete action into effect.” Eagle Bear thanked the crew who helped with the construction of the camp and the people for attending the ceremony to join in a prayer for protection over the land. Eagle Bear said, “This camp is a spiritual action” and that the camp “would be up for the long haul-until President Obama denies the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.” The Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s leadership pledged to support other tribes’ planned camps in appreciation for the displayed support at Rosebud’s Spirit Camp. Oyate Wahacanka Woecun is a project authorized and established by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe by Tribal council resolution. It was created to make known the will of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in opposing the social and environmental impacts of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline Project. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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