Occupiers attend Oglala Lakota Nation sponsored Rally on XL Pipeline

Yesterday was a very interesting day.  It started out the same as most Saturdays.  I read the paper and some other things online.  Several people called on the phone and we talked about the stuff we usually talk about.  Then at about eleven thirty, I went down town to join the other Occupy Rapid City protesters for what has become our standard activity for mid-day Saturday.

One of the Occupiers is a semi-retired professor and writer, Elisabeth Cook-Lynn.  She is a very interesting lady.  She told me that she intended to go to the Mother Butler Center at one o'clock for a gathering organized by the Ogalala Sioux Tribe Vice President Tom Poor Bear to discuss stopping the Keystone XL pipeline.

Marvin Kammerer had told me earlier during our phone conversation that he intended to go to that gathering and asked me if I would like to go.  Since Elisabeth had reminded me, I decided that I would go.  Several other members of Occupy Rapid City decided to go check out the gathering at the Mother Butler Center.

What an experience that turned out to be.  People were still arriving when I got to the gymnasium at the Mother Butler Center at about ten minutes after one.  A table was set near the door with some documents that looked like there were there for anyone that was interested, so I helped myself.  Next to that table was another table with jewelry on display and for sale.  The kitchen appeared to be in operation also.  The middle of the gym had several rows of chairs that would provide seating for around a hundred people. 

Behind the chairs, was a large drum and several drummers were seated around it.  A podium and tables were arranged near the west end of the gym which allowed for an open area in front of the chairs for the audience.   About ten people were seated at the tables, facing the audience.  It looked as though if everyone were to sit down, the audience seating would be at full capacity.

A friend of Marvin's that I recognized was at the podium, Alex White Plume.  He proceeded to introduce several of the people in attendance and to explain what the gathering was for.  He then introduced his cousin who opened the gathering with a prayer in Lakota.  Many of the speakers spoke in the Lakota language for a portion of their speeches.  

                  Figure 1 Vice President Tom Poor Bear seated and Deb White Plume speaking

Several members of the tribal council were in attendance.  Vice President Poor Bear introduced the grandson of Chief Red Cloud, who is a chief himself.  Chief Oliver Red Cloud was the first speaker to address the assembly.  The senior attorney for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Steve Emery, was one of the speakers.  He was followed by several people with special knowledge about the various aspects of the pipeline project, such as the potential for pollution, emanate domain proceedings, ongoing legislation, employment claims, tax revenue considerations, and more. 

There were people there from several states including Colorado, Minnesota, and Nebraska; there may have been more states represented, but those are three that I remember hearing mentioned.  There were several ranchers and farmers that were being directly impacted by the plans for the XL pipeline to cross their property.  Two ranchers, John Harter from the Winner area and Paul Seamans from Draper South Dakota talked their personal involvement with emanate domain proceedings.  There were environmental activists that were concerned about the impact of Tar Sands mining and refining.  There was a young musician there that had written songs about the Tar Sands and Pipeline.  She sang two of her songs and accompanied herself on the guitar.

All this was interspersed with music.  At one point, the speaker, Steve Emery, introduced his Auntie, Madonna Thunderhawk.  He invited her up front and then invited everyone to come up and shake hands with her or give her a hug.  It didn’t take that long to do and everyone appeared to enjoy the opportunity.

Figure 2 Steve Emery speaking and seated to the right Chief Red Cloud, Alex White Plume, and an un-named participant

Marvin was asked to speak and it appeared to me that he didn't know they were going to do that.  He had been taking some notes when others were speaking.  His notepad was an inch and a half by two inch piece of paper he had in his pocket.  Marvin really shines in settings like that and he said he had quite a bit to say.  He spoke for about thirty minutes and during that time he had the audience applauding, voicing their approval, and emotionally involved.

I'm glad I went.  Unfortunately, I did not take notes while I was there and just the two pictures.  For anyone that was there, if my memory is off a little in my account, please forgive me.  Forgive me too all those wonderful people that participated in this event and that I should have identified in this article.  Apparently, the Rapid news media didn't consider it news worthy event.