Sacred Water Protection: Moccasins on the Ground Unified Messaging

Last weekend Lakota and allies came together from the 4 directions in Oglala Nation to participate in a Moccasins on the Ground non-violent direct action training camp. Moccasins on the Ground is led by Owe Aku International, an organization dedicated to bringing back the Lakota worldview and way of life. Land defenders from Wet’suwet’en and Secwepemc First Nations in so-called British Colombia, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, Tar Sands Blockade in Texas, Common Stream in Boston, and many more people from diverse walks of life convened in the beautiful Red Shirt Homelands on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. “Our prayers have been answered,” said one elder from Red Shirt.

Moccasins on the Ground occurred the same weekend as the Cowboy and Indian Alliance encampment in Washington D.C. With all due respect to the relatives who traveled to the nation’s capitol voicing opposition to the KXL pipeline, Owe Aku International is focused on protecting the homelands. “Why go to Washington D.C. to protest the KXL pipeline, when Congress isn’t even in session and our homelands are under attack?” asked Oglala Lakota spiritual leader Victorio Camp.

Red Shirt, South Dakota is located on the banks of the White River, downstream from the Crow Butte uranium mine in Nebraska, which is owned and operated by the Canadian company Cameco. When folks drive across the bridge into Red Shirt, they see a sign that says “WARNING: RADIOACTIVE.” While Red Shirt is the community most affected by uranium mining on Pine Ridge, all wells on the reservation have been tainted with radiation poisoning. While many Lakota stand united against the KXL pipeline, the Oglala Lakota Nation relies on the Mni Wicozani water pipeline for clean drinking water. Mni Wicozani means “Water is Life,” and that is the message Owe Aku International continues to share with the world.

READ MORE HERE: http://lastrealindians.com/sacred-water-protection-moccasins-on-the-ground-unified-messaging/