The Sisters of St. Joseph of Corondelet have issued a powerful Statement of Solidarity with the Native Peoples of Standing Rock.
The Order includes 1,102 vowed sisters worldwide. The statement expresses their commitment “to stand in solidarity with our Native American sisters and brothers, especially of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.” Issued Nov. 30, it continues: “We stand with the community of Standing Rock … in their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and their peaceful efforts to protect their water and sovereignty.”
A number of Protestant denominations have issued such statements. (They are archived on our page on the Dakota Access Pipeline.) This is the first statement we have seen from a Catholic order.
Here is more from the Sisters’ statement:
We are challenged by Pope Francis in his latest encyclical: “It is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. They are not merely one minority among others, but should be the principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting their land are proposed. For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values. When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best. Nevertheless, in various parts of the world, pressure is being put on them to abandon their homelands to make room for agricultural or mining projects which are undertaken without regard for the degradation of nature and culture” (Laudato Si’, 146).
Minneapolis Next Target for #Divest from DAPL
The Minneapolis City Council is holding a public hearing on the city budget today, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m., and groups are organizing to pressure city leaders to divest Wells Fargo, one of the banks financing the Dakota Access Pipeline. The hearing is in the City Council chambers. Organizations sponsoring the #DivestfromDAPL event are Honor the Earth, the Sierra Club North Star Chapter and MN350.
The event Facebook page says the following:
It’s time for the City of Minneapolis to align its financial practices with its values and divest from Wells Fargo!
Wells Fargo has time and time again proven that they value profits over human dignity and human life. They are invested in the companies building the Dakota Access Pipeline – the same companies that are ignoring native rights, digging up sacred sites, and hiring private security that are committing violent acts against water protectors.
There is also documented practice of Wells Fargo committing mortgage redlining in the Twin Cities, and this year, more than two million accounts were fraudulently opened by their reportedly besieged employees.
It’s time to call on the city to develop a municipal bank so the city’s money can be managed responsibly and ethically.
Money is not separate from morals – we must align our financial practices with our values, so we must divest from Wells Fargo!
Standing Rock Chairman to Water Protectors: It is Time to Go Home
Standing Rock Nation Chairman Dave Archambault II is telling the Water Protectors to celebrate their huge victory over DAPL — and “it’s time to go home.”
Archambault released a five-minute video to say thanks to everyone who supported Standing Rock. “It doesn’t do us any good to live in an unsafe environment,” he said. “If it is needed in the future, you are welcome to come back.”
Some people worry the pipeline company will dig in spite of the fact it does not have the easement it needs from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It will simply pay a fine, opponents fear. Archambault has a different take.
He is concerned that the pipeline company will continue to try to antagonize the Water Protectors and provoke them into unlawful acts, such as destroying equipment or taking over a pad. “This is what the company wants us to do,” he said.
At this point, “if they violate the easement, it is going to threaten all the investors’ money,” he said.
Even if the Trump administration wants to reverse the decision, it could not do it overnight, he said.
Two Rivers Gallery New Show: Mazinaakizige Exhibition: POWER(FULL)
The American Indian Teen Photography Project will open at Two Rivers Gallery on December 9th, with a a reception and artist talk from 6 – 8 p.m. According to the announcement:
This exhibition brings together six young American Indian artists to develop their photography skills in a guided, supportive, and culturally sensitive environment. The artists will be showing a selection of photographs that empowers their indigenous identity by focusing around the theme “Power(full)”.
The exhibit is being presented in conjunction with the Minnesota Historical Society. Two Rivers Gallery is located in the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin Ave.
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