This is an archive of audio of Water Protectors at Standing Rock between Oct 15-17. The first audio I recorded was the Moon Dance ceremony on Saturday, the night I arrived into Oceti Sakowin. That night the beating heart of Mother Earth moved through the vibrations of the drum and moving of feet on the ground as many people gathered by the sacred fire. I felt drawn on that journey to doing the work of preserving the stories and sounds of the water protectors so that more people could know them, and better understand the individuals intensely involved in this struggle for water. 

As I walked through the camps I was honored to hear from many strong protectors who told me why they had gathered at Standing Rock. I felt honored because although I had just arrived there, and only spoken my name, they gave me their trust. Through their acts of openness and kindness to me I saw the community being built at Standing Rock: a community founded on Love. 

The strength of love that you will hear in the audio here has its roots in the teaching of indigenous peoples, who tell us that our responsibility as humans is to coexist. We need each other to survive and prosper, as we need the Water, the Air, the Sun, and the Earth. For their work in keeping the ties of family strong between us all, and protecting the Life Water (Mni Wiconi)-- and us all -- from destruction I give my gratitude. There is no greater gift than to know and care for one another.

email zjk@umich.edu for more information about specific audio clips
check out http://michsolidaritynodapl.tumblr.com/ for a downloadable zine about Standing Rock!

Juniper Odell, Asheville NC, Mother and Water Protector, Rosebud Camp

Fiona Murphy, Rapid City SD, Water Protector, Sacred Stone Camp

Samuel Hanna, Havasupai Tribe, Firekeeper, Oceti Sakowin

Feanette Black Bear, Lakota Elder, Oceti Sakowin

Chief Delbert Wapass, Thunderchld First Nation, Saskatchewan CA, after flag raising at Oceti Sakowin

Bob Gough, Secretary Of Intertribal C.O.U.P., after Cannonball Town Hall Meeting Oct 16

Ivan Looking Horse, Cheyenne River Sioux Elder, after Cannonball Town Hall Meeting Oct 16

Brendan, Water Protector, New York

Shane, Flute player, Sacred Stone Camp

Dallas Freeman, Salt River Pima, Security, Oceti Sakowin

Heart of the Water Moon Dance Ceremony for Turtle Island, Oct 15

Zach Kolo

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