Protectors Defending the Sacred

Sunset at Camp: Jaci Begay

 The spiritual and conservational wisdom of Native Americans is and has been legendary every since the first explorers began traveling to America so long ago . Respect for the natural world, it’s abundance and fragility has been a constant thread weaving its way throughout humankind for centuries by the brilliant elders of Indigenous America who were and continue to ruminate far ahead of their time. I often find it puzzling why their voices go largely unheard in affairs of our country today.  Seeing numerous stories come across my social media news feeds recently on the events happening in North Dakota over the Dakota Access Pipeline are compelling, and I believe it is time for me to speak out.  

I don’t pretend to know much about the pros and cons on the controversy over the pipeline, but I do know many of the people who have spent months fighting against it; and I trust their judgment. The arguments on both sides are equitable. But speaking as someone who has lived as neighbors and worked with Native Americans for the majority of her career, and as someone who is blessed with Native relatives, I feel I need to take a stand in solidarity with them and the lesson our Indigenous brothers and sisters are trying to teach us all on this dispute. They have been the protectors of this land for centuries and have the wisdom of the ages; and we are not listening to them.

Native Americans are the most unappreciated and misunderstood population in this country, and sadly, too, they are the most neglected. First Americans wandered this land and called it their home long before my ancestors stepped foot on her soil or beheld her majestic, hidden beauty. Tragically they are almost all but forgotten in modern American society; their voices ignored and the faces of these ancient peoples nearly invisible. Still they persevere in spite of our disregard and subjugation.

The beauty and richness of Native culture is something of which we all should be proud. But the problems that plague these kind, peaceful, and generous people are daunting, and their plight through the years has been a shameful reflection of us all regarding what we value in our society as a whole. The little land they still hold onto—reservations-- are riddled with economic and societal problems. Yet in spite of these obstacles Native people continue to thrive and work diligently to preserve their vibrant culture. More and more Natives are finding the courage once again speak out and tribes from all over the country are joining together to collectively voice their concerns on things that really matter, not just to them, but to us all.

Photo credit: Jaci Begay

Fast-forward to today and the Dakota Access pipeline. A months-long protest by Natives and other concerned Americans against this multi-billion-dollar oil pipeline has grown to one of the largest gathering of Indigenous peoples here in over 100 years.  They are taking a stand against allowing the pipeline to cross their lands and under the Missouri River citing concerns that the pipeline will have a negative impact on water quality on the reservations and jeopardize cultural and sacred heritage sites. 

Pipeline, Ipswich, South Dakota

On the flip side of this controversy proponents of the pipeline say it will boost the economy and create thousands of jobs. They contend there is little risk of water contamination.  I guess Native America feels there are just some things more important than money and even a small risk is too great.

What troubles me most about this entire controversy is that it goes largely unnoticed by mainstream America.  While most of us go about our daily business with little regard to the precious land we live on these committed souls have left the comforts of their own home, took leave of their jobs and sacrificed their own daily lives to come together to fight for the one thing none of us can live without—our sacred water. We dwell in a land of various faiths, cultures, and races, but we all have one thing in common--We share in the sacred gift of water. It is the lifeblood that runs through all our veins, as a reminder of goodness and purity.  Before any living creature ever came into being, Our Creator first fashioned the land and the water with His Mighty hand, and we will not survive without it. Water is the one compound humans are not able to replicate. It is unique, and it is irreplaceable.

I don’t know what the answer to the present dilemma is in North Dakota. Our society is dependent on oil and without it our economy is in trouble. But I cannot ignore the wisdom of those who are there right now, fighting against the pipeline. There has to be answers that can accommodate us all in a safe and prosperous manner and I believe we need to stand with Native America now and fight for their cause. Our president and our politicians have let them down with their deafening silence on this issue; an all too familiar scenario on reservation’s today.  So it is up to us all to stand with Native America against the pipeline and demand another way.

Photo courtesy of Jaci Begay

And so goes the events unfolding in North Dakota at this very moment. Many are growing weary of the long and grueling protests and need our support and prayers.  Officials for the pipeline have tried multiple tactics to discourage and disperse them away from the front lines from thwarting  their supply of water to using force against the unarmed and peaceful protectors. But they will continue and refuse to stand down until their voices are heard. It is time, and it is long over due.

The Water Protectors have come from all over the country. Photo: Jaci Begay

Tomorrow morning as you are making your first pot of coffee, or as you offer your toddler a cold glass of water before they lay their precious head down to slumber, give thanks to God for the clean water so readily available to you and pray you never take it for granted.  And as you relax in a warm bath at the end of a hard day, and feel the clean, pure water blanket your being, whisper a prayer for those up in the Dakotas, fighting to preserve our sacred gift. Give thanks to men and women like them who will give their all to save our water.  And as one wise young Native man reminded me the other day, envision them not as protestors, but as protectors. They are and always have been the keepers of this land we all call home. Pray for the protectors of the Creators sacred gifts.

All photography property of Jaci Bagay