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<h2><b>
<a href="http://intercontinentalcry.org/oglala-nationals-roadblock-oil-pipeline-trucks-on-pine-ridge-rez/">
Oglala Nationals Roadblock Oil Pipeline Trucks On Pine Ridge
Rez</a></b></h2><font size=2>March 7, 2012<br><br>
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<a href="http://intercontinentalcry.org/oglala-nationals-roadblock-oil-pipeline-trucks-on-pine-ridge-rez/">
http://intercontinentalcry.org/oglala-nationals-roadblock-oil-pipeline-trucks-on-pine-ridge-rez</a>
<a href="http://intercontinentalcry.org/oglala-nationals-roadblock-oil-pipeline-trucks-on-pine-ridge-rez/">
/</a> <br><br>
</font><font size=3>March 5th, 2012, everyone had their ear to the new
moccasin telegraph. Social networks, telephones, and word of mouth
networks were abuzz with reports of Oglala Lakota Nationals preventing
oil pipeline materials, destined for Canadian Tar sands and/or Keystone
XL infrastructure locales or some unknown destination, from being
transported across the Pine Ridge Reservation’s Treaty territory.
Information travelled to Debra and Alex White Plume (Owe Aku, Inc. “Bring
Back the Way) and Olowan Martinez that semi-trucks loaded with enormous
oil pipeline components were set to cross Oglala territory sometime
during the afternoon on March 5th, 2012; “We did not know where the
equipment was going, but we knew that these trucks were too huge, too
heavy, and too dangerous to pass our roads. We thought the equipment may
be going to the Tarsands oil mine, or other oil mines in Canada,” Debra
White Plume explained.<br><br>
A call went out via digital media and other sources for all able bodied
and willing participants to mobilize and report to Wanblee, South Dakota,
for an impromptu gathering of scores of activists ready to block the road
with their bodies to prevent semi-trucks and pipeline components from
crossing Oglala Territory. Within minutes the confrontation happened as
several State and Tribal police officers and other officials responded to
the tense scene. Oglala Tribal police arrived immediately with one
Sergeant telling the road-blockers that the South Dakota Highway Patrol
was parked a few miles down the road at the border between Oglala Country
and the State of South Dakota but that the SD Highway Patrol would not
proceed onto the reservation. Notably, this Sergeant also advised those
present that the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) was en route to
the reservation in two vans from Rapid City, SD. However, at the
conclusion of the day there were no signs of such FBI presence.<br><br>
The Texas semi-trucks, transporting 1.25 Million-dollar “Treater Vessels”
used in oil, gas and element separation, were stopped in their tracks as
they approached the human roadblock. The human roadblock that featured
two Lakota grandmothers: Renabelle Bad Cob Standing Bear (in her
wheelchair) and Marie Randal (in her 90s). The drivers were questioned by
those forming the blockade as to why they were crossing Oglala lands. One
of the drivers responded that they did not know they were crossing Indian
land, only that they were following company directives regarding their
assigned routes and that their Canadian Corporation had received this
particular route information as a result of a partnership with the State
of South Dakota, whose elected officials have always supported the
Keystone XL pipeline. This information prompted Tom Poor Bear (Vice
President of the Oglala Lakota Nation) to phone South Dakota State
officials in Pierre, SD, inquiring as to the nature and origin of the
route of the stopped truckers. South Dakota affirmed to Oglala Vice
President Tom Poor Bear that indeed the State was involved with planning
such route, ostensibly without consulting the Oglala Lakota Nation. The
heavy-hauling trucks were allegedly cutting through Oglala country in
attempts to avoid a $50,000.00 per-truck-fee to pass through using State
of South Dakota roadways.<br><br>
During the roadblock, police ordered all those forming the road block to
disperse. This command was heeded by most except those willing to
sacrifice personal freedoms to make their statements against big oil and
the continued mindless contamination of mother earth. The following
individuals were ultimately arrested by Pine Ridge authorities for
failing to obey commands: Debra White Plume, Alex White Plume, Sam Long
Black Cat, Andrew Iron Shell, and Tyrel Iron Shell. The arrests were not
without effect as the semi-trucks and their payloads were rerouted and
escorted off by several Oglala sentries.<br><br>
The protectors of the earth, all those present who succeeded in making a
bold statement were backed by standing resolutions adopted by the Oglala
Sioux Tribe and the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council incorporating
the terms of the Mother Earth Accord. Additionally, those standing
resolutions forbid any formal interaction with TransCanada and/or
Keystone XL or other oil pipelines making overtures to the Oglala Lakota
Nation and other landowners throughout the center of Turtle Island (North
America).<br><br>
<a href="http://www.lastrealindians.com">Lastrealindians</a> was able to
catch up with Olowan Sara Martinez and Debra White Plume to piece
together the days happening for our readers’ benefit. Olowan Sara
Martinez recalled the steadfast manner in which the modern warriors of
the Oglala Lakota responded “it’s clear that our people will stand by
each other when our land is threatened”, said Martinez.<br><br>
Debra White Plume of Owe Aku, Inc. summed up the peoples’ sentiment when
she said “It is always good to see that we’re still Indigenous. We will
never stop caring for mother earth. When the call went out asking for
help, the response was immediate. People from the community of Wanblee –
[a major traditional stronghold during the tension and violent filled
1970s between the federally backed goon squads and the American Indian
Movement backed traditionals *context provided by
<a href="http://www.lastrealindians.com">Lastrealindians</a> ] poured out
in numbers offering huge pots of soup, coffee, and other provisions for
anyone willing to take a stand. The people will always help each
other.”<br><br>
<a href="http://www.lastrealindians.com">Lastrealindians</a> was advised
that since Oglala President Steele is currently in Washington, DC on
official business, Oglala Vice President, Tom Poor Bear, is calling a
meeting of the Tribal Council, today March, 6, 2012, to address the
roadblock circumstances and any future occurrences of this sort. The
Oglala Tribal Council and In-house attorneys are drafting legislation to
prohibit heavy trucks from coming onto the reservation as this writing
happens; “It does not matter what trucks are carrying, if they are this
big and heavy they are too dangerous for our roads”, Debra White Plume
reiterated. Lastly, the Oglala Tribal Council will consider legislation
prohibiting any vessels or equipment to be used in Tarsands oil
development from crossing Oglala Territory.<br><br>
<i>Chase Iron Eyes is the Owner and Founding Writer at
<a href="http://www.lastrealindians.com">LastRealIndians.com</a>, a new
authentic media project that offers fresh, incisive takes on relevant,
hard hitting subjects impacting Indian country and the world.<br><br>
This article was originally published at Lastrealindians.com. Republished
with permission<br><br>
</i>
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