On Friday, September 16th, Rory Wheeler spoke about the pipeline in North Dakota and what the different tribes are doing to protect their water. He had actually been there this week to help defend his family's land and just got back. He mentioned that his grandma and grandpa used to fish in the river and he wanted to make sure the pipeline didn't go through the river. He was there as an EMT and wanted to fight with everyone but they wouldn't let him because if he had gotten hurt, he wouldn't be able to do his original job as an EMT. He didn't know when it was safe to sleep because something could have happened at any moment and he was constantly anticipating the sound of gun shots. Fortunately, he never heard any but this kept him up and alert. He was always needed and prayed that everyone would come back safely.
When he had left, there were about 5,000 people fighting and when he was leaving North Dakota to come home, there were about 7,000 people fighting. There was plenty of young people helping out with whatever they could. He says that everyone was very friendly there when it came to helping out.
Unfortunately, he told us how a lot of what is happening is censored on the media. There were pictures and updates online that had to come down because they want to keep this on the down low.
Wheeler learned forgiveness during this sleepless trip. They were digging up sites and hell could have broken lose but it didn't. He repeats that we have to forgive, we have to move on, and we have to fight. The Morton County Sheriffs are apparently siding with the pipeline. This is hard for them to realize and hurts their chances in stopping it. There was pepper sprayed at women, children, and men. Some were beaten harshly and there were racial terms said like it was nothing. Meanwhile, the sheriffs department just stood there and watched. People were charged with attempted trespassing and they held one person for a week because of a misdemeanor. Everyone was outraged at this fact. The county is working against them. At the camps, they are getting ready for winter with sleeping bags and such so that they can continue to fight. They are looking for funding and supplies to stay fighting until this is completely stopped.
As far as politics go, Hilary Clinton has a bunch of support for climate change on her website but hasn't actually done anything about this. Bernie Sanders has been very vocal about this and their fight to stop the pipeline. Trump hasn't done anything.
It was acknowledged that he is a young native american still having to fight for something that belongs to him. When he first arrived, he saw the river and the sun setting on it. This made him think, "This is the reason I am here." He wanted to fight for this water, that his father, and father's father relied on everyday. When he saw everyone come together, he realized that they are strong and that they are there for one another. He said, "You pick on one of us, you pick on all of us," which is a very strong statement.
Currently, there is still construction going on but not on land where the army is. There is a very limited amount of water left. Especially after the California water shortage and with very little clean water left, they should be fighting. For people that are non-natives, he asks that we educate them and make them aware of what is going on. He wants people to know what was done to preserve their land. He has hope that pollution will decrease in the future. His biggest point made was that there should be more consultation with the tribes.
Wheeler talked about the fact that he is not an activist, rather a water protector. This is his duty as a native American and as an EMT. He believes this is his mission here on earth, that he was sent to do this, and that he should be there 24/7. People rely on this water to live and an oil leak will cause permanent damage. Children could have birth defects if this continues. Some people chain themselves to the equipment trying to physically say, "If I don't have this water, I have nothing at all." His mentality is hopeful. There is a unity in all of the tribes. There are many charges they have to face just to protect their water but he is happy to see that all of the tribes are coming together for a good purpose.
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