Blend of faiths inspired by Standing Rock
OCETI SAKOWIN CAMP — A contingent from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe walked across the Cantapeta Creek bridge and asked police and pipeline security to lose the loud helicopter so hundreds gathered at the water could hear themselves pray.
The loud whup-whup-whup rang out over a gathering of denominations and churches from across the country who answered a call to join “Clergy for Standing Rock.”
More than 500 people from 20 denominations — Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and Jews in white and colorful robes, stoles, cassocks — stood together to repudiate a centuries-old doctrine that declared America to have been discovered, to ask forgiveness for imperial injustice and to pray for those gathered in camps at the edge of the reservation.
The bridge, barred by charred remains of vehicles since last week’s sweep of protesters, is closed to traffic and guarded by law enforcement on the far end. It stands empty and disputed between the encampments and the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The various symbols of religion were carried to the bridge alongside a traditional Sioux eagle staff and pots of burning sage that filled the air with a sharp cleansing smell.
The idea to call the nation’s clergy together occurred to Standing Rock’s Episcopalian minister John Floberg, who said he could think of no better counteraction to the military response brought against Dakota Access Pipeline protesters over the past two weeks. He posted the plan on Facebook Sunday and his message galvanized clergy to jump into cars and airplanes to get to Standing Rock by 9 a.m. Thursday. The flurry of timed arrivals temporarily jammed the entrance to the main overflow camp, where prayers started with the symbolic burning of the doctrine of discovery, used since the 15th century to claim lands occupied by indigenous peopleOCETI SAKOWIN CAMP — A contingent from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe walked across the Cantapeta Creek bridge and asked police and pipeline security to lose the loud helicopter so hundreds gathered at the water could hear themselves pray.
Blend of faiths inspired by Standing Rock | North Dakota News | bismarcktribune.com