Commentary

Native Organizers Alliance: ‘Standing Rock Has Changed Everything’


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Seattle, Washington–(ENEWSPF)–December 5, 2016.  Judith LeBlanc, director of the Native Organizers Alliance released this statement Monday, after the announcement that the federal government would not approve a permit for a segment of the Dakota Access Pipeline through the Standing Rock territory in North Dakota:

“Never has there been such close collaboration between more than 300 tribes alongside Native nonprofits and social movement activists. Standing Rock has changed everything.

“The strategy and peaceful tactics of the Standing Rock movement were framed by the power of Native traditional beliefs and our special relationship with Mother Earth. In one example after another, powerful, peaceful protection of the water was the basis of unity across tribes, movements, generations and non-Native allies.

“Now we – the Standing Rock movement led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Oceti Shakowin elders and the Sacred Stone and Oceti Shakowin camps – must celebrate and claim the victory that few thought we could win.

“We must celebrate our victory, but also continue the work:

  • Protecting the Missouri River from top to bottom by empowering tribal governments.

  • Expanding tribal government ability to advocate for green-energy opportunities and sustainable economic development.

  • Guarding against the looming danger that the Trump administration could reverse the permit denial.

“Native-led direct action and solidarity are the foundation stones as we continue to protect our water and Mother Earth.”

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Native Organizers Alliance, a project of People’s Action Institute, is dedicated to building the organizing capacity and grassroots power for change among Native Peoples across the continent.

Source: http://www.nativeorganizing.org

Related Article:

Army Corps of Engineers Will Not Grant Easement for Dakota Access Pipeline Crossing

 


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