NATIVE AMERICANS RISE: MARCH IN WASHINGTON D.C. LED BY STANDING ROCK SIOUX

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East County News Service

View video: https://www.facebook.com/ienearth/videos/1657313897618763/

“Native Nations Rise” led by Standing Rock Sioux, indigenous people from across America will march to the White House in response to Trump’s pipeline aggressively calling for a new era of respect

March 10, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Today, indigenous people from numerous tribes led by the Standing Rock Sioux marched on the White House in response to President Donald Trump authorizing the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone Pipeline that threaten waters on indigenous lands.

According to the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), a nonprofit promoting environmental justice, those decisions were made “with no tribal consultation, and in violation of clear treaty law.”

The march culminated several days of events throughout the nation’s capitol.  Seven tipis were pitched on the National Mall as a part of daily events -- including morning water blessings, panel discussions, and more.

At all events, participants urged Trump, the federal government and Congress to stop hurting Indigenous people and tribal interests to benefit corporations and the US Government.  The tribes seek respect for tribal rights and lives, including rights to clean water and air, and to “stop treating indigenous communities as sacrifice zones for fossil fuel projects.”

“Consultation is not enough-- tribes are demanding that businesses ask for consent from native tribes before building on native lands,” IEN’s press release states.

In addition to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Indigenous Environmental Network and tribal nations from across the United States. speakers were slated to include

  • Taboo, Black Eyed Peas
  • Dave Archambault, Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
  • Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network
  • Eyrn Wise, Honor the Earth
  • Kim Howe, Dooda Fracking,Navajo Nation
  • Faith Gemmill, RedOil, Wintu and Neets'aii Gwich'in Athabascan from Alaska
  • Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Earth Guardians

The march departed from the Army Corps of Engineers office and ended with a rally in front of the White House in Lafayette Park.

 “This fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline has sparked a powerful global movement calling for Donald Trump, Congress, and the US Government as a whole to respect Indigenous Nations and People in our right to water, land, sovereignty, and culture. Indigenous people are not here to be your sacrifice zone for fossil fuel projects. Water is life -- so in attacking our water Donald Trump is attacking our lives, families, and right to self-determination” said Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network.

For more information, visit www.nativenationsrise.org and www.ienearth.org


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