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American
University
WASHINGTON
– Native people and their allies marched Friday morning from the Mall to the
White House to demand that ingenious rights be respected.
During the march, protestors halted in front of Trump
International Hotel, erected a tipi, beat drums and performed traditional
tribal dances in retaliation of the new administration.
Like many at the demonstration, Brian
Patterson, a Bear Clan Representative of Oneida Nation Council in New York, wore
traditional American Indian garb and headdress.
Patterson, 54, called for a collective “consciousness” to protect
“Mother Earth” from the oil companies.
“It is time for all people to come together. We can’t drink
oil; the corporations of this world are not going to sustain us,” said
Patterson.
Renee Roman Nose, of The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of
Oklahoma, stood beside her partner, Patterson, in a bright blue embroidered dress.
Roman Nose, 53, also wore a blue scarf by Native Fashion Designer
Bethany Yellowtail in support of Indigenous Women Rise, a collective that
formed after the Women’s March on Washington in January.
Roman Nose acknowledged the new administration’s position on
oil companies and their proposed pipeline projects.
President Trump signed an executive order to continue the
construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline Project. The Army’s
finalized construction permit came out just a month later after his executive
order.
The proposed pipeline project runs through Native American
reservations, and many contend that the crude oil industry threatens native
peoples’ land, crops and safe water supply. Despite the Native American
peoples’ concerns, the pipeline has been fully underway as of February 8.
“I’m here to help bring awareness to the issue of water over
oil, of humanity over profit,” Roman Nose said.
Protesters, panelists and speakers erected tipis and hosted
discussions during the several days leading up to the march. The tipis could be
seen on the National Mall near the White House.
Rabiah Nur, 68, had prepared for the march with spiritual
guidance, as she is the founder and director of Spring of Light, her platform
to offer medicine, mentorship and motivational speaking to others.
“A lot of praying, that’s every day … I’ve been doing a lot
of ceremony with myself and other people to protect everybody that’s here,”
said Nur.
Water blessings and prayer circles were planned by organizers
in the days leading up to the final march. Both Native Americans and their
allies had the chance to participate.
The general consensus from protesters was that the protests
and marches will continue on until the sacred land and water are fully
protected and indigenous rights are fully respected.
“This is a time of prophecy for us. This is a time where we
have a choice. Do we follow the black snake or do we create a sustainable
future?” said Roman Nose.
More pipeline projects, such as the Keystone XL pipeline
project, will be proposed by oil companies and government. And, more protests
will persist.
“You can’t drink oil,”
marchers chanted.
“Keep it in the soil,”
was the response.
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