The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“It’s the most morally pure thing going on in our nation right now.”
By Crystal Kotowski
Editor’s Note: This is the second Crested Butte News story in a continuing look at Crested Butte and Gunnison connections to the situation in Standing Rock.
Local involvement with the Dakota Access Pipeline protests has expanded with Crested Butte and Gunnison action becoming more intertwined.
Kirsten Atkins and Landan Schaller recently organized and co-led direct action training workshops to prepare advocates for Standing Rock.
Those soon on their way or now at Standing Rock include Sammantha Rowland, Ben Lokie, Jeremy Rubingh, Laura Yale, Schaller and 10 WSCU students. Rubingh and Yale recently joined a group of native paddlers floating from the headwaters of the Missouri in Montana to Standing Rock “as an act of solidarity, a plea for heightened awareness, and a prayer to the river,” Yale wrote in a Facebook post.
Many of the above participants are hauling flatbeds with snowcats, woodstoves, blankets, and food donated by local businesses.
Schaller, a WSCU alum, is the Standing Rock liaison for the Gunnison Valley. A water blessing ceremony in Crested Butte hosted by Marcie Telander catalyzed his involvement.
“My major role has been to just pitch in with planning and coordinating our efforts to raise funds, gather donations, spread awareness, and plan trips to the action in North Dakota… my role is kind of a liaison between the Gunni and Crested Butte communities, and specifically a leader for the student groups. My affiliations are with Crested Butte Stands with Standing Rock, with the WSCU Native American Student Council (and by extension, the entire Multi-Cultural Center on campus), with the WSCU Anthropology Club, and a group called Western Students in Solidarity with Standing Rock, who are planning a trip to make a documentary film for use at campus and in the community. Of course, I am also connected beyond these groups with individuals at Oceti Sakowin in Standing Rock, and with tribal elders and medicine people all over, from Shiprock to Crested Butte,” Schaller said.
On November 17, Schaller organized a direct action training at the Crested Butte Town Hall to prepare people for the trip, focusing on mental health, logistics, group operations and decision making, medical preparations and contingency plans.
“It was brief, but we wanted to get the crew going up as aware as possible of what they will encounter and how to prepare for it, as well as get a little unity of the minds. Those who aren’t going to North Dakota were encouraged to come, as it can be a great experience to understand the reality of what kind of obstacles are faced in direct action scenarios. My hope was that it would awaken a mindset in people to say ‘this is a real situation with real consequences!’ but also to find their Warrior spirit and recognize the beauty of taking a stand for what matters. This matters so much, and sharing in the stress and danger and concerns and victory of it can be powerful. It’s already changed my life for the better,” Schaller said.
Standing Rock needs and messages
Thinking about going to Standing Rock? Schaller notes, “If you can’t be calm and brave and peaceful and help make people smile while tear gas is being shot at you, then please think seriously if this is your place. Solidarity is just as beautiful from home where you are not a liability.”
Schaller concluded with a few Native American concepts that resonate with him, ultimately as a call to united action. “Leonard Crow Dog was a Lakota spiritual leader who is best known for his involvement with the Wounded Knee conflict back in the 1970s, but the story goes that he would tell people that the longest journey we ever make is between our head and our heart. We can travel thousands of miles, but what matters is that we learn to see and listen from our hearts… And lastly, I encourage everyone to see how related we all are, and how connected to everything our lives are. The Lakota people say ‘Mitakuye Oyasin,’ All my Relations. They pray this and say it during ceremonies, because it draws our focus to how we are always in a relationship with all things. If we see how our relationship with the water really works, then we might be careful to not poison it with an oil pipeline. If we see how related we are to indigenous people, then we might take care to not harm them with our laws and the way we use land. We are so good at ignoring each other because of our differences, but what we really need to see is our common ground, and embrace each other and all of nature as we strive to have better relationships. Aho mitakuye oyasin, I recognize each of you as my relations, and I encourage you from a good heart,” Schaller said.
To stay in the know, the Crested Butte Stands with Standing Rock Facebook page provides ongoing information on actions at Standing Rock, donation needs, connections with other local and national interest and advocacy groups.
Next week we will talk with local storyteller Marcie Telander and her connection to Native Americans and Standing Rock.
