MN350 Launches Rapid Action Team to Keep Pressure On Enbridge Line 3

MN350 Rapid Action Team at the Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation Society’s annual convention, responding to Enbridge Line 3.

I got a call Monday morning from friend and long-time pipeline resister Marty Cobenais, who is enrolled at Red Lake. He was attending the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ annual convention and trade show in Bloomington. Enbridge was tabling the event, he said. Company reps were talking about Line 3’s so-called “benefits” and conveniently leaving out the litany of harms: climate damage, impacts on treaty rights, oil spill risks, etc.

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Events: “Necessity” the Movie; Native Land Return in Minnesota; and More

In this blog:

• “Necessity: Oil, Water and Climate Resistance”: A Documentary on the Necessity Defense
• Free Meal and Talk on Native Land Return in Minnesota
• Free Meal and Screening of “Dodging Bullets,” a Film on Historical Trauma
• Annual Holiday Art Market at All Nations Indian Church

Oregon Passes “Tribal History/Shared History” Law

From the “Better-Late-Than-Never Department,” it just came to our attention that the state of Oregon passed the “Tribal History/Shared History” Law in 2017, which “calls upon the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to develop a statewide curriculum relating to the Native American experience in Oregon, including tribal history, tribal sovereignty, culture, treaty rights, government, socioeconomic experiences, and current events,” according to its website. The bill was proposed by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown.

Water Protectors Expose Hidden Line 3 Pipeyard Near Fond du Lac Reservation, Erect Tipi to Stop Offloading Trucks

Photo from Support Line 3 Frontlne Resistance Facebook post.

The following media release was posted today on the Support Line 3 Frontline Resistance Facebook Page.

ATKINSON, MN – At sunrise Tuesday morning, water protectors stood up for Mother Earth and erected a tipi in front of a hidden Enbridge Line 3 pipeyard just south of the Fond du Lac reservation in Northern Minnesota. One water protector was locked to a tipi erected in the path of trucks unloading Line 3 pipes in a location hidden behind Omar’s Sand and Gravel pit.

Police gave no warnings or notice and arrested two other water protectors. After, police pulled on the tipi poles of the water protector suspended 25 feet in the air, which nearly toppled. Once the water protector was on the ground, they were also arrested and are currently being held in Carlton County Jail.

Events: Native-Made Gifts for the Holidays and Fundraiser to Support The Circle Newspaper

All Nations Indian Church, 1515 E. 23rd St., Minneapolis, is hosting two important events this December, the annual Holiday Art Market and the annual fundraiser for The Circle newspaper, the voice of Native American journalism in the Twin Cities.

The Holiday Art Market will span four days, Saturdays, Dec. 8 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays Dec. 9 and 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Indigenous artisans will be selling blankets, art, jewelry, apparel, and gifts, along with food, including fry bread.

The annual breakfast fundraiser for The Circle newspaper will be Dec. 7, 8 – 9 a.m. (doors open at 7:30 a.m. for coffee), $35 suggested donation, pay what you can. Brenda Child (Red Lake Ojibwe) will read from her new children’s book, Bowwow Powwow. Artist and illustrator Jonathan Thunder (Red Lake Ojibwe) will discuss his artwork for the book.

Please come for a delicious breakfast, good conversation, and community engagement in the heart of the Minneapolis American Indian community. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-native-authors-breakfast-fundraiser-tickets-51274448255
or 612-722-3686 or thecirclenews@gmail.com

Reflections on Reconciliation, Sacred Sites, and Broken Treaties

The term “reconciliation” is a deeply problematic word when it comes to indigenous-colonizer relationships. The word refers to restoring friendly relationships when for indigenous peoples, friendly relationships never existed with colonizers.

Canada had a lengthy Truth and Reconciliation Commission, something not attempted yet in the United States. We struggle with the first half of the proposition — simply telling the truth.

Indigenous Women Make Electoral Strides, Face Ongoing Challenges and Abuse

Recent news stories about indigenous women have run the gamut from significant election wins to the ongoing indifference to the horrors of missing and murdered indigenous women.

As you have time during the holiday break, hold these stories in your hearts.

• Native women make electoral strides
• Standing Rock pushed back against voter suppression; Native woman beats State Rep who pushed voter ID law.
• U.S. cities show weak reporting on missing and murdered indigenous women
• Class action lawsuit started over forced sterilization of First Nations women in Saskatchewan

News summaries and story links below.