We make conscious decisions to either sit back and watch, or stand up and be heard.
We make choices as to whether protect our future generations, or we allow for a destitute future for them.
We make choices as to enter the uncomfortable place of change and movement, or we continue on this downward spiral.
What will your choice be?
Will you sit back and allow for human rights violations to occur, or will you #RiseUp with us?

Wet’suwete’n Access Point at Gidemt’en

Militarized RCMP attempted to force the Wet’suwet’en peoples to allow construction of the pipeline in 2019. But they were unsuccessful.

Since that time, the Wet’suwet’en people continued to build structures on their land, such as the healing center. But were aware of the likelihood of another RCMP invasion to attempt to force them to allow construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline. Yesterday’s post describes that invasion occurring on Feb. 6, 2020.

Yesterday’s article also describes the Wet’suwet’en calls for solidarity from supporters. What could we do in Iowa? Iowa solidarity as RCMP invades Wet’sutwet’en

In the summer of 2019 Paula Palmer came to Iowa and Nebraska to give presentations and workshops related to her ministry regarding “Toward Right relationship with Native Peoples.” Peter Clay, Linda Lemons and I were among those who helped organize those events. Afterwards, we wanted to see what we could do with what we had learned. We had scheduled to get together with a few others at Friends House on February 7, 2020.

When we learned about the RCMP invasion of the Wet’suwet’en lands that began on February 6th, we decided to hold a vigil in support of the Wet’suwet’en prior to our scheduled meeting on February 7th. That’s how Friends House became the site of the vigil. [Note: We met at Friends House, attached to Des Moines Valley Friends meeting, but this wasn’t an approved event the Meeting.]

Peter and I made signs, and Linda brought prayer ribbons.

We knew there was almost no media coverage of what was going on with the Wet’suwet’en peoples, and didn’t think anyone else would join us. I was surprised and glad to see someone none of us knew at the time approach. Ronnie James is an Indigenous organizer with many years of experience. He told us he was surprised anyone in Des Moines knew about the Wet’suwet’en peoples.

I believe this meeting was Spirit led. Ronnie was to become a very good friend. After the vigil, he accepted my Facebook friend request, and began to teach me about his work with Des Moines Mutual Aid. This was life changing for me. I don’t know why I hadn’t heard of the concept of Mutual Aid, but am grateful for his generous time mentoring me. I soon became involved with one the Des Moines Mutual Aid’s projects, the weekly food distribution.

Ronnie is part of the Great Plains Action Society, along with people I had become friends with during the First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March in 2018. Including Sikowis (Christine Nobiss), Alton and Foxy Onefeather, and Trisha Cax-Sep-Gu-Wiga Etringer.