Nov 15 #NoDAPL Day of Action at Army Corps of Engineers

Start: Tuesday, November 15, 2016 2:00 PM

The Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance and the Winona Water Protectors invite the entire community to come together with us on Tuesday as we how our solidarity with the people of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in North Dakota and all others from around N America who are camped there to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL, aka “Black Snake") from crossing the Missouri River near their reservation.

WINONA SOLIDARITY ACTION #NoDAPL
Start time 2:00PM -  City Hall in Winona, MN
207 Lafayette Street Winona MN 55987
March at 2:15 PM to the "new bridge"
Participate in the solidarity action on the bridge till about 4:30 PM
March back to City Hall together
At City Hall, closing statements. Should finish by 5:00 PM

Mni Wiconi means Water is Life in the Dakota language

Things to bring:
Smart phones for social media live feeds
Signs and Banners
Megaphones
Headlamps and flashlights for end of the rally so people can see us till we pack up!
Jars of water from our homes
Sage, cedar, tobacco, and prayers
Drums
Our voices

Things to consider:
This is a peaceful action in solidarity with the Protectors at Standing Rock.
Dress for the weather. (As of Sunday, forecast is high of 60, partly sunny, wind 10-15 mph (could feel colder up on the bridge.)
This is a NONVIOLENT action.
Remember why we are here, to stand in solidarity with the Protectors, to make a stand against DAPL.
Make this action count. Bring your biggest voice!

Further information . . .
Come out to make a stand in Winona for our Water and future generations in solidarity with the Protectors in Cannon Ball, ND! This stand is against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) threatening not only the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, but 18 million people down stream along the Missouri River crossing four states including the Mississippi River. This pipeline construction threatens our future generations, Indigenous sovereignty, sacred sites and burial sites, quality water, as well as human rights.

As a river town we know all to well how important it is to defend the water against industrial pollution. We are asking you to stand with us and with the Oceti Sakowin on the 15th to do our part in this global action day against DAPL. We are asking for our community members to meet us at City Hall in Winona, MN on November 15th at 2:00PM. We will march to the new bridge over the Mississippi River at 2:15PM. Bring your signs, banners, and hearts to raise awareness within our community as well as motive our entire community to take a stand against DAPL for the Protectors at Standing Rock and for all our relatives on Grandmother Earth. We will gather in solidarity on the bridge till about 4:45PM and then march back to City Hall at that point together.

Our connection to this fight in North Dakota is not an invisible one. One only need to gaze at our bluffs and see sand mines on the horizon in this region to understand that the sand from our hills creates the Bakken oil fields, the pipelines including DAPL, bomb trains, refineries, and the destruction of our environment not just here at home, but in neighboring states just hours away. Our community has a duty to stand with Standing Rock and move towards ending the "extreme extraction era". The City of Winona has a covenant with the Dakota people. Please read what Winonans have committed to regarding our Indigenous brothers and sisters that follows this paragraph. Come out to motivate our community and motivate them to uphold their solemn promise to the Dakota people, to Stand with Standing Rock, to protect our future generations, as well as to refrain from playing into historical roles we have so often fallen into regarding the original people of this land and our promises with them.

"Between the Dakota Nations and the City of Winona

The Dakota Nations, Tribes, and Communities of the Oceti Sakowin and the City of Winona, Minnesota establish this Covenant of Friendship as a solemn commitment to the perpetual peace, friendship and compassion between the Dakota people and the people of the City of Winona; and to the mutual recognition of equal rights and respect for the Dakota language, culture and natural law.

The City of Winona, in cooperation with the Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance, agrees to make good faith efforts to preserve and protect the natural environment surrounding Winona, including known and discovered burial grounds and archaeological sites; and to continue the celebration of the Dakota Gatherings and Homecomings. The Dakota Nations agree to make good faith efforts to share their history, customs and traditions at Dakota Gatherings and Homecomings and in other educational settings to educate the people of the City of Winona, while protecting and preserving their sacred ceremonies. In friendship and goodwill, the City of Winona and the Dakota Nations will explore areas of collaboration for the mutual benefit of their communities in areas such as education, business, health, arts and culture. Any requests for City of Winona resources must be reviewed and approved by the City Council prior to the implementation.

The Dakota Nations enter into this Covenant, as independent and sovereign nations, with the City of Winona. This Covenant of Friendship is written in both Dakota and English and both texts have equal power." -http://www.winonadakotaunityalliance.org/goalsmission/covenant-of-friendship/?source=email&referrer=aaron-camacho

Our "solemn commitment to the perpetual peace, friendship and compassion between the Dakota people and the people of the City of Winona; and to the mutual recognition of equal rights and respect for the Dakota language, culture and natural law" obligates our community in the city of Winona, MN to make a stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline and in support of the Protectors who are putting themselves on the line daily for all of us.
#NoDAPL #ProtectTheSacred #StandWithStandingRock


Please bring art and banners -- and be sure to share on social media with #NoDAPL. Some sample messages for art include:

  • People over Pipelines

  • #NoDAPL

  • In Solidarity with Standing Rock

  • Obama: Stop the Dakota Access Pipeline