This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Leaving I was not sure if it was the right thing or the right time but I was following my heart and a need to bear witness. With so much deep conflict developing daily in our country/world, I felt a need to touch in to what seems like the very heart, the very epicenter of it all.

We arrived just two days after the forced evacuation of the large Oceti camp. You may have watched footage of this evacuation: enormous global militarized force, teepees in flames, armed vehicles and automatic weapons pointed at our peaceful water protectors. It felt like something out of our darkest history happening right in front of our eyes... enough to break me wide open.

Arriving on the heels of this massive event we expected to walk into a place of deep grief, trauma and hopelessness... We could not have been more wrong! Yes there was grief and a communal trauma but wildly by far the spirit was strong, the love deep and palpable, the mission in focus. We stood in ceremony with elders, with youth, with those traveling from all corners of our country and those born of the land below our feet. The elders spoke of prophecy, of love, community and the spirit world and I could feel them shifting the dark energies into light.

Oceti camp was closed on Feb 23 but new camps grow in its place… Cheyenne River Camp and Black Hoop and more spring up around the country in protection of other sites. I encourage anyone to visit if they’re able, especially our youth.

This movement is far from over... in fact I think it’s just begun!