The Dakota Access Pipeline is poised to cross the Missouri River twice, raising concerns about contamination to the Standing Rock Sioux’s source of drinking water. (L to R): Vanessa Brown, Rosemary Thomas, and Natalie Brown raise their fists in solidarity. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
Thousands continue to protest in North Dakota, at the site where an oil pipeline is under construction. The Dakota Access Pipeline would pass by the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and cross over Missouri River twice. Protesters worry about the dangers this could pose to local drinking water. The events in Standing Rock have sparked demonstrations for clean water and tribal rights across the country, including Sitka.
Last Sunday (09-11-16), KCAW’s Emily Kwong spoke with Charlie Skultka Jr, during a drum circle and fundraiser for the Sacred Circle Camp. As a teenager, Skultka Jr. attended school on the reservation. During a recent family visit, he found himself within a few miles of the protest.
Charlie Skultka Jr.: Many of my family members were afraid to go because of what was happening with people being arrested and dogs being turned loose. Just chaos. After I saw what was going on I just couldn’t stand idle no more. I had to go. To be that close and not go would have bothered me for the rest of my life. I had to go.
An ongoing protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in the Camp of the Sacred Stone has inspired demonstrations across the country. Sitka gathered last weekend. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
Charlie Skultka Jr.: So I borrowed my brother’s truck. He came with me. I drove. And we ran a load of fresh water up there because by then they needed supplies. The state and the National Guard had cut off one of the main roads that was supplying goods to the camp. And we actually had a Tonneau cover – a little cover on the back of the truck – and we hid the water underneath because as many people as there are having positive thoughts about the protest, there are just as many having negative thoughts. We didn’t want to run into those people.
KCAW: Who would have done what?
Skultka Jr.: I’ve heard of people being actually attacked in their cars or road rage. But the entire way, when we’d run into other Natives, they’d quietly ask, ‘Are you guys going?’ And we’d say, ‘Why yes. We’re on our way.’
Many across Indian Country has showed their support for the Standing Rock Sioux. Such was the case in Sitka, during a drum circle and fundraiser organized by Louise Brady. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
KCAW: When you brought the water, what was the reception?
Skultka Jr.: Oh, they were happy to get it! By the time we were there, at least 1000 people showed up and everybody had brought fresh water and supplies. They were putting the water in a horse trailer. When we arrived that trailer was almost empty and when we left it was almost full.
(Murmur of crowd)
Louise Brady: I used to think when I was in my 20s, I was going to change the world for my peers. Then I had children and I thought, ‘I’m going to change the world for my children.’ Then I had grandchildren and I was going to change the world for my grandchildren. And now, I am getting up there and I understand even more the necessity to look at how what we do today will affect our great grandchildren, our great-great-grandchildren. The next seven generations.
“When I hear the drum, I know my culture is alive,” said Charlie Skultka Jr.,, who delivered 37 cases of bottled water to protestors in North Dakota last month. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
(Sound of drum circle playing honor beats)
Dionne Brady Howard: Looking around the circle and knowing almost everybody who is here, that we all come from different places and all come from different types of drums, and yet we’re all here with our drums. We’re all here because that’s what unites us. Our support needs to continue to go across our continent for those who are fighting this battle that’s not just for themselves, but for everyone. For water. For life. For everyone.
KCAW: What struck you most about the [Standing Rock] camp? The protest?
Skultka Jr.: How many different flags were represented. How many different tribes there were. When I left camp, there was a caravan of vehicles coming from Puyallup, Washington. And there were people – not just from the United States – but from all over the world. Supporting them.
Tribal citizens and supports of the Standing Rock camp gather in Totem Square last Sunday for a drum circle (09-11-16). (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
Last week, the Sitka Tribe of Alaska issued their formal support through a letter to the Standing Rock Sioux Chairman David Archambault II. And during their regular meeting on Tuesday (09-13-16), the Sitka Assembly also passed a resolution in support of the demonstration.
