Standing Rock and Stewardship of Our Planet

Under the Department of Homeland Security, the United States has the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services. From the words in those previous titles alone it is easy to determine what they are all about, and what they possibly represent and do. Yes, the United States is a sovereign nation with borders with other nations. However, unless one is a descendant of tribes that lived here in these United States before anyone else came over from elsewhere than one cannot be called a Native American. Of course, the reality is the majority of United States citizens are not Native Americans by ancestry. The history of Native Americans in these United States is extensive and complex in relationship to all others who settled afterwards, and I strongly suggest that everyone would become more informed and acquainted with this history. Most Native Americans today live on reservations which are segregated from where other settlers live going back almost two centuries in many cases. Treaties such as The Fort Laramie Treaty; for example, gave ownership of land that was seemingly already theirs to certain Native Americans. I am aware that I am only referencing one treaty just to hint at how the present reality came about. The following excerpt from the WCC website provides an understanding of what has been all over the news with relevance to Standing Rock, one of the reservations in which Native Americans dwell.

“Since April 2016, people from more than 100 tribal nations, environmental advocates and indigenous rights defenders have protested against the proposed construction of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL). The oil pipeline, connecting production fields in North Dakota to refineries in Illinois, would run alongside the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and traverse the Missouri River.

While proponents of the DAPL contend that the project will bring jobs and economic expansion, indigenous communities worry about harmful impacts on water and soils. The Missouri River is a key source of drinking water for many communities in the area. Moreover, the DAPL is said to cross Sundance grounds and village sites – lands deemed sacred by the Sioux Nations, the Arikara, the Mandan and the Northern Cheyenne.

“The construction of the pipeline, which would not only restrict access to drinking water for indigenous communities but would also pollute the river, is clearly a violation of the right to water,” said Dinesh Suna, coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network (blog.oikoumene.org).”

I suppose that no one should be questioning why I am writing about this topic on an ecumenism blog because stewardship of this planet is the responsibility of all. The following gathering and prayer is a great example of this stewardship with relevance to our Faith.

“On 3 November, “a day of protective witness in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and with the water protectors,” church people from various traditions prayed together.

“Creator, you loved creation into being. Your goodness is present in the land and waters, in the creatures and peoples you created. You call us to be in right relation with all living things. Be present today, and every day, where people stand in peaceful defense of your creation. We recognize your presence in Standing Rock, with indigenous peoples who are protecting the waters. May we also be present in spirit and in truth. We recognize your presence in our own country where indigenous peoples also stand peaceably in defense of land and waters. May we be present in witness and solidarity. We recognize and repent for the violence that has marked relations with indigenous peoples on Turtle Island. We claim your challenge of truth and justice, and your promise of healing and reconciliation (www.oikoumene.org).”

I hope that this post has helped raise a little awareness on the matter. If you wish to become more involved, I suggest doing a Google search on Standing Rock, and I am sure that many helpful links will come up. Also, you can read more at the reference links below.

http://blog.oikoumene.org/posts/standing-rock-the-pain-of-the-past-and-the-challenges-of-the-future.

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/eco-justice-at-stake-for-standing-rock-people-in-usa.

References:

http://blog.oikoumene.org/posts/standing-rock-the-pain-of-the-past-and-the-challenges-of-the-future.

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/eco-justice-at-stake-for-standing-rock-people-in-usa.