A Special Report From #StandingRock: Part I

Published 2016-09-27
Part 1 of our field reports from the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, or Seven Council Fires Community, at #StandingRock in Cannonball, North Dakota. Representatives from over 200 nations have travelled to #StandingRock to defend their right to clean water, and more, to preserve their sovereignty against a state that has illegally decided to take this land. They are protectors, not protesters. Their historic effort is bringing attention to a long struggle against environmental racism, indiscriminate raids, and genocidal erasure.

We follow the story and the story of how these communities, Standing Rock Camp and Red Warrior Camp, have come to be egalitarian and holistic actions.

Featured in this documentary are a group of indigenous leaders working with the community: Kandi Mossett of the Indigenous Environmental Network (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara – North Dakota); Phyllis Young - former councilwoman for Očhéthi Šakówin (Lakotah, Woman Who Stands By The Water), Cody Hall, media spokesperson for Red Warrior Camp (Sioux), Michelle Cook - Legal Counsel for Očhéthi Šakówiŋ camp (Diné - The One Who Walks Around You Clan), and Terrell Iron Shell of Thunder Valley Organizing and the International Indigenous Youth Council (Oglala Lakotah, Eastern Band Cherokee).

“We’ve been here. We know how to take care of the land. Just listen to us.”

For more information, go to www.nativeorganizing.org, or ienearth.org. Support this coverage at www.lauraflanders.com/join.

All Comments (21)
  • @rnidess
    I saw this last week on LinkTV and it's one of the most outstanding pieces of videojournalism on the Standing Rock action that I've seen. Kudos to Laura & crew!!
  • This was one of the most moving films I have seen. You are the voice of water, life, earth itself . I and many others are with you.
  • @Alpen_Zausel
    Thanx so much, greetings and blessings from southern Germany/Bavaria... the world is watching and stand on your side <3 ~Wolfgang~
  • @Bcook39617
    GDAY IM AN AUSSIE BLOKE SITTING HERE WATCHING THE INJUSTICES THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS HAS REACHED THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC AND THAT WE SUPPORT YOUR CAUSE. THESE INJUSTCES SHOULD NOT AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE. WE ARE HERE AND I WISH I WAS THERE TO STAND WITH YOU ALL THIS IS UN FAIR AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONIBLE FOR THIS ARE WRONG. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THE WORKERS COULD STOOP TO THE LEVEL OF THIER EMPLOYERS AND RUIN YOUR SACRED LAND AND RIGHTS JUST TO FURTHER RUIN THE LAND THEY HAVE CLAIMED. ALL IN ALL I HOPE THIS REACHES THOSE WHO MATTER AND I HOPE YOU ALL THE BEST
  • @akbashnadir6135
    Im so happy and deeply touched , to see this strong heart resistance revolution , all around the world the people are suffering, more and more also die , also become murder by the same cold heart monsters system that is ruled by greed . So WE ALL NEED TO RESIST AND SAFE OUR MOTHER EARTH, SAVE THE FUTURE OFF THE NEXT 7(+) GENERATIONS. This Standing Rock Protest hast the Love and Power to start the change the whole world need . Much Power Love Peace and Blessings to the leading Cultures in Standing Rock , <3 Greetings from Germany
  • @JoySpatz
    Thank you so much for this Special report , so wonderful, to see the tribes , people together , I am humbled by there love and Strength . I am so very greatfull and humbled ,to see all these tribes standing together to protect our Mother earth and Water . I stand with Standing Rock , My Prayers and Blessings are with all at Standing Rock . Thank you , and many Blessings .
  • The issue is sovereignty and consultation rights. Our tribes are sovereign nations not just random collections of people.
  • @brewse64
    wow.....that child at the end just hit it...made me cry...... i really wish i could be there........
  • @derrbarn14
    it's awesome to hear that the womens warrior song at the beginning of the video, (which originated from my nation: the St'at'imc nation in British Columbia Canada.) is being spread throughout North America.
  • Thank you. I am with you in spirit. Praying with you all. Thank you for protecting the sacred water and culture of our people.
  • Thank you, everyone standing in solidarity with standing Rock. We're long over due for a world wide revolution. our land has been suffering far too long. humanity will unite for the existence of our future. for we are the earth. we are born into the earth to care for her and one day return to her when we die.
  • @_Ramen-Vac_
    I Love you guys! I Love you. Prayers and hope and respect.
  • @PedroGarcia1961
    Thank you for keeping and enlightening the struggle of equality and of love and of the powerful outcome it can have to our spirit.
  • Know that many people are with you in America and from other countries. My great grandmother was full blooded Cherokee on my father's side and some Creek on my mother's side. Matheny is buried in the old cemetery and I have been concerned that the cemetery will be bulldozed over by those looking for oil/gas who have been active in that state. Without water all humans are affected and there are those who cannot be physically with you because of disabilities....or other reasons for some. We are with you in Spirit. The college students protesting the outcome of election have not been abused, shot at or treated like you at Standing Rock because many are students who come from wealthy or well to do families. Other people see there is something terribly wrong with that picture.....
  • Great report! The song at 7:30 will go viral on it's own. (Americans have such short attention spans). I hope the publishers of this will consider.
  • I am intensely working on living from the land with respect and on stopping feeding the pipeline builders. Thanks again . Native European May all beings be well.
  • There was a time all nations on this planet lived in union with earth yes even me the white oppressor from Europa,now there is a chance to regain it even more because many of us know much more. I love you all native people from this beautiful land and support you as much as i can,I also love natives from other lands. We all disconnected from mother earth......... who lost it first or last should not be the issue or who has more of a connection or less .Let us unite with anybody who wants to become of mother,s earth tribe and help those who are still lost. May all beings be one.