What's Happening: Standing Rock
by Alex Montances, member of WMJM Justice in the Philippines Action Network --
On Thanksgiving weekend, November 2016, a delegation of young adults from Los Angeles visited the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota. The six member delegation included myself, Alex Montances, a member of the WMJM Justice in the Philippines Action Network. The Standing Rock Sioux in North Dakota have been fighting to protect their ancestral land and the Missouri river from the construction of a $ 3.8 billion oil pipeline project called the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thousands of Native Americans and environmental activists have joined the fight at Standing Rock using direct action and non-violent protest to halt the construction of the pipeline. After a 1,500 mile journey, the delegation arrived at Standing Rock and camped there from November 26-27 to learn from and support the Standing Rock Sioux.
On my first day, I witnessed a delegation of 150 Native women and allies march to the front lines of the protests, face to face with police behind a concrete and barbed wire barrier. The Native women chanted “Water is Sacred! Women are Sacred” and called on the police officers to protect the water and not the oil company. My meeting with one Native American Water Protector named Steve Watta Hill stays with me. He exclaimed, “This is the first time in history that all of the Native American tribes are united together to protect our Mother Earth.” We camped out for one night. We had planned to stay longer but needed to get out before the blizzard came. We donated blankets, jackets, and over $800 in cash donations (collected by community members) for the Standing Rock Sioux.
Montances was deeply moved by the unity and strength of the Standing Rock Water protectors and hopes to return again in 2017. United Methodists from around the world are joining the Standing Rock Sioux to protect the environment for generations to come.
The Justice in the Philippines Action Network continues to stand in solidarity with Indigenous People who are protecting our Land and Water in their struggle. From Standing Rock to the Philippines, we are committed to listening to the Indigenous People and following their lead in support of God's creation.