Terri Miles: Indian Country unites and stares down the black snake


Yakama Nation Chairman JoDe L. Goudy leads a Pacific Northwest tribal delegation to the #NoDAPL resistance camp near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Photo by Paul Anderson / Our Shared Responsibility: A Totem Pole Journey

Terri Miles, a member of the Muscogee Nation, reflects on the #NoDAPL resistance movement:
Right now, here at Standing Rock we have oil billionaires locked in political combat with the poorest people in the United States. What matters is what happened and how that shapes what is happening. It’s hard to know what will happen, but I’m here to tell you the people on the front lines don’t much care for calculating the odds. They did not choose the time or the place but the time is now and the place is here.

Native people are uniting. Native Nations are in solidarity with the people of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. the Muscogee (Creek), the Sac & Fox Nation and the Meskwaki Nation along with over 90 others so far. Allies from all walks of life. Semis, caravans, and individual cars of food, camping supplies and water are arriving every day.

Buses of elders, veterans, men, women, and children are arriving along with horses and their riders, singers and drums. Children have run to DC with messages to the President who promised help.

Those who can't travel hold fundraisers and local demonstrations. People who have inspired Native peoples, fought for and written about Native issues in their communities are at the camp: Billy Mills, Winona LaDuke, Dennis Banks. Facebook posts, blogs, Native news media, and Twitter (Sherman Alexie and Jason Namakaeha Momoa) are filling the vacuum of silence left by a public that is unaware.

Read More:
Terri Miles: Facing the Black Snake (Indian Country Today 8/31)

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