Rumor or fact: www.ocetisakowincamp.org

This bright and beautiful morning, we join the 9:00a.m. gathering at the Dome where the addition of 2 wood-burning barrel stoves has greatly enhanced the physical warmth of the previously only communally-heated space. I search for familiar faces, which is easier here inside as people disrobe and unmask noses and mouths, and I’m pleased to see several still here – or here again, as I am.

 

A couple younger men spring up to offer us their seats close to the stove, handing Liz a cup of coffee, and then help pull the sleeves as I wiggle out of my fabulous down coat.  Although the gathering begins with about 35-40 people, before the end at least 80-100 people will have arrived.

An elder male facilitates this gathering which I quickly learn is a very intense and important one for the sacred fire was purported to have been extinguished last night, and there are conflicting messages about staying or leaving.

When we first heard the rumor last night that the fire went out, I was thinking the weather was the culprit that vanquished the Sacred Flame but I was soon to learn it was the elders who began the fire also opted to put it out yesterday.

Water Protectors, including other elders who have been here from the beginning, are shocked, distraught and disappointed but our serene, competent, funny but serious facilitator quickly spells out the truth.

It is true that the chief of the Sioux Nation has told everyone they can go home now. It is also true that the elders who began the Sacred Fire feel their mission has been completed: they prayed for Federal Government intervention and feel that has been accomplished.

They are also concerned about the extreme dangers North Dakota arctic weather presents to those living outdoors on Oceti Sakowin, Rosebud, and Sacred Stone Camps, especially because of the police and military barricades making the 20 mile trip to the nearest city a now 50 mile trip.

And because of the governor’s promise to not clear the roads, a promise he has apparently since withdrawn.

So the ceremony to extinguish the fire took place yesterday, before we arrived at camp. But a Native man stood up and revealed he was invited by these elders to participate in the fire-extinguishing ceremony. He said he cried over the fire and then the embers and then the darkness as he prayed for  guidance, prayed for the fire to continue.

Later that evening, many other elders and tribal members decided the Sacred Fire should not go out, for we know our mission has not been accomplished: we know corporations in this country do whatever the hell they want to do, regardless of who is hurt, who is destroyed, who has to suffer – and whatever demands any government agency makes as they know the penalties for disobeying are miniscule if any.

We know ETP/DAPL immediately boldly flouted the Federal demands that they cease building and flaunted their intention to continue digging under the water promising to finish the pipeline as planned.  

So, the crying man continues the story: he returned to the Sacred Fire late last night to witness embers leaping from the doused flames and he believes the fire never went out.

The youth come into the gathering to announce they will take over the tending of the Sacred Fire for all the Water Protectors and excitement rises where despair had reigned.

We are cautioned several times that those who are not prepared or experienced surviving in arctic conditions need to go home. Now.

We are assured that the tribe will help anyone who wants to leave; and the tribe will also support anyone who meets the criteria to stay if they choose to.

Several Native people share they are warriors, they have been born here and have lived here all their lives, they have prayed here, learned the ways of the elders, speak in their native tongue, and engage in ceremony and the Lakota, Nakota, Dakota ways of life.

And they will not leave.

Another group of Native Water Protectors, including a lawyer, enter the Dome and update us on all the supplies that have been donated, enabling the building of structures that can truly provide a safe space for warriors continuing the vigil throughout the winter.

We learn there are over 600 people still at the camp with others arriving daily – and leaving daily. People make announcements about army tents finally winterized and volunteers needed to help cook, to build more latrines, to help move people from the fringes into the center of camps so it will be easier to look after each other.

And someone has to volunteer to monitor the levels of the Cannon Ball River – the rumor that the Army Corps of Engineers plans to flood the lake is just that: a rumor. But the water level needs to be monitored anyway – it is winter and water fluctuates during the winter.

Other volunteers are called to work on building structures to protect and house the water for the camp.

And the bustle of coming together and building a viable, safe, loving community whose foundations are love and prayer and protection of the Mother Earth, of tearing down parts of the previous community, or figuring out how to not only withstand the bitter howling winds and frozen waters of the North Dakota plains but also the force of police and military enforcing the will of the Black Snake.

It is an exciting time to be here at camp: the transitions might be painful and unsure, but the spirit shines bright and the sacred fire is evidenced in the sun, the lightning, the burning of wood as well.

I’m sorry I have to leave later this afternoon in order to ensure I’m in court tomorrow morning. Apparently there might be a class action suit against DAPL for trampling on our 1^st Amendment Rights! YEAH!!!