No Thanks, No Giving

No Thanks, No Giving

As many of us around the nation were gearing up for Thanksgiving this past week, the fight for clean water continued in North Dakota. On Sunday night, November 20th, a confrontation between protectors and police erupted when protectors tried to move debris that police used to keep them from entering certain areas of construction. North Dakota police and other militarized personnel decided to unleash water cannons on protectors of all ages in 26-degree weather. Concussion grenades, rubber bullets, and tear gas were all deployed and caused many injuries. 

In a more serious cause, a woman from New York who was helping with the protest suffered from a concussion grenade exploding directly on her arm. She was flown out to a near by hospital and then had to have numerous expensive surgeries. She is said to have had her arm amputated. As infuriating and devastating as that news was, Morton County Sheriff’s office released documentation that the women suffered her injuries from an explosion at one of the camps from protestor’s “making home-made bombs.” They also denied using water cannons that led to hypothermia by the dozens and using other less-lethal force. However, drones caught video and protestors have evidence that states otherwise.

This all within the month that was declared Native American Heritage month and the irony of the holiday we give thanks, and one with a dark side of history. As a Diné (Navajo), and like most tribes, the last harvest is celebrated before winter arrives. Food is made and a feast occurs despite the massacre that also began with the Pequot tribe. It was very hard being my chipper self on Thanksgiving with the injustices occurring up North. We united in a long prayer for our ancestors (near and far) as well as our brothers and sisters currently in North Dakota. Many blessings to those fighting the good fight.

I will post a list of how to help the Standing Rock Tribe and #NoDAPL soon.