Photo by Mark Hefflinger / Bold Nebraska
On Tuesday, April 22, the Cowboy and Indian Alliance rode into Washington, DC, and set up their teepees on the mall for a week-long protest of the Keystone XL Pipeline project. Affiliates from Bold Nebraska, landowners, ranchers, Native Americans from several tribes and concerned citizens joined the entourage. The event’s schedule can be found on Bold Nebraska’s website.
In a story dated April 23rd, Rolling Stone Magazine stated that inside sources at the White House revealed that President Obama has indicated he plans to reject the controversial pipeline. While many may breath a sigh of relief upon reading the report, Occupy World Writes is cautiously optimistic that the administration will follow through, and will not relent our appeal to reject this project until an official announcement has been made.
Photo by Mark Hefflinger / Bold Nebraska
As a freshman senator campaigning for president in May of 2008, Barack Obama made a stop on the Crow Indian Reservation in southern Montana, where he became part of a new family. Hartford and Mary Black Eagle formally adopted Obama as their son during a private traditional Native American ceremony, giving him a new name – Barack Black Eagle – and making him an honorary member of the tribe.
In the history of treaties, agreements and understandings between the American government and Native Americans, the government has a clear track record of disregard and breaking their word whenever conditions would favor them. As a result, Native Americans have acted with great restraint in most all matters, holding their part of the bargain by honoring their sacred word. Perhaps Americans, as a culture, do not understand the significance of something “SACRED,” or perhaps they don’t think giving your word should mean anything now days.
We call on Barack Black Eagle to recognize the encampment on the Washington Mall and acknowledge the sacred concerns of the Native Americans and their contingent. We also think walking through the encampment with his family would allow Malia and Sasha a perspective unlike any other.
Mr. President, THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!
