Last Sunday, we started gathering signatures to an expression of solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Nation. We will be collecting signatures again this Sunday.
For those of you who are unable to attend next Sunday, September 18th and have not yet signed the expression and want to, please contact me at dwcruz@comcast.net. I will need to have a statement from you to the effect of "I give my permission to add my name to the Expression of Solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Nation. I will also need you to indicate whether you are a Member or Friend of BUF.
I've attached a copy of the Expression. We're trying to gather these signatures as quickly as possible, as we don't know what kind of time frame we're dealing with here. Originally the Fed Court was supposed render a decision in the next few weeks, however, now that the Feds (DOJ, DOI and DOA) have intervened and we want to make sure that Standing Rock and all the Fed agencies get copies of our support before any review/decision is made.
Members and Friends of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Expression of Solidarity With Standing Rock Sioux Nation and its Resistance to
the Dakota Access Pipeline
WHEREAS: The Standing Rock Sioux Nation has put out a peaceful call for
action requesting support in opposing the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline that
would carry up to 570,000 barrels of fracked crude oil per day for more than
1,100 miles from the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota to Illinois, passing
over sensitive landscapes including treaty-protected land containing recognized
cultural resources and the Missouri River, which provides drinking water for
their Reservation;
WHEREAS: Despite deep opposition from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,
farmers, scientists, environmental groups, and other Tribal nations, and
without Tribal consultation or meaningful environmental review as required by
federal law, in July, 2016 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit allowing
construction of the fracked oil pipeline to move forward;
WHEREAS: On August 15, 2016 the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council led
by Tribal Chairman David Archambault II called on Tribal nations and Indigenous
people around the world to issue resolutions in support of the Standing Rock
Sioux and the Sacred Stones Camp and the call was answered by Washington State
Tribal Nations including Lummi Nation, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community,
Yakama Nation, Puyallup Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Suquamish Tribe, Lower
Elwha Klallam Tribe and Hoh Tribe;
WHEREAS: The Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship has
repeatedly demonstrated through direct action support of Lummi Nation and
other Tribes of the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and co-sponsored and
supported the 2016 Totem Pole Journey which attended a Blessing Stop
on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, witnessing the proposed destruction and
participating in an unprecedented support of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation by
Native and non-Native people;
WHEREAS: Other UU congregations and organizations have spoken out and
committed action to support the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in its opposition to
the Dakota Access Pipeline, such as the Bismark-Mandan Unitarian Universalist
Church (https://www.midamericauua.org),
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (http://www.uusc.org/uusc-stands-solidarity-standing-rock-sioux-tribe/),
UU Youth for Climate Justice (https://www.facebook.com/uuyacj/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE),
Commit2Respond (http://www.commit2respond.org/nodapl) and a
statement released by UUA President Rev. Morales: on Wednesday, August
30th:
The construction of the massive Dakota Access pipeline, stretching
from North Dakota to Illinois, is a textbook case of marginalizing minority
communities in the drive to increase fossil fuel supplies. As people of faith
and conscience, committed to protecting the interdependent web of all life and
supporting indigenous rights, Unitarian Universalists cannot remain silent as
land held sacred by our Native American siblings is threatened.
We join other faith groups and native tribes to support the Standing
Rock Sioux Tribe as they oppose the construction of this dangerous pipeline. I
am proud to see that Unitarian Universalists in the region are already joining
the protests. But I know that more is urgently needed. I urge you to join the
effort to bear public witness to the injustice in North Dakota and add your
voice to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved: We who are Members and Friends of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, stand in support of Standing Rock Sioux Nation’s opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and we call on all Unitarian Universalists, other faith communities, social and environmental justice organizations and other people of conscience to raise awareness about this important struggle for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice and to support the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and the Sacred Stones Camp efforts in any nonviolent way they are willing and able.
