OPINION: The Standing Rock Standoff… A Personal Perspective, Part Three
Author’s note: December 4, 2016 – The Army Corps of Engineers has decided to deny a permit for the construction of a key section of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Army Corps says it intends to issue an Environmental Impact Statement with “full public input and analysis”. The decision essentially halts the construction on the 1,172-mile oil pipeline about half a mile south of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The decision is also a victory for the thousands of demonstrators across the country who flocked to North Dakota in protest.
There were bouncer-type guys at Oceti Sakowin Camp that I assumed were camp security. They wore radios and yellow all-weather clothing. I didn’t get the opportunity to speak to any of them.
But I did approach two serious-looking men dressed in black with streaming armbands, and squawking radios. Permission was granted to take their photo. I learned that their names are Frank Archambault from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation (who I learned later is cousin to Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II) and Aidoneus Bishop from Kingston, Washington (who also goes by “Viking”).
Left, Frank Archambault, and Aidoneus Bishop
I recorded our conversation, but, due to user error (me) the recording wasn’t made. So I am relying on memory to paraphrase their quotes, and supplementing that from a wealth of information and photos from their website and Facebook page.
“Who are you?” I asked. (Other than intimidating.) Frank explained that they are Iktče Wičháša Oyate or Common Man Society. He and Aidoneus founded Iktce Wichita Oyate at the Oceti Sakowin Camp, and they are there to protect the water protectors.
I was told that the Iktce Wichasa Oyate is a band of about 80 unarmed men and women who have taken an oath to serve, protect, and tend to the wellbeing of the water protectors. They live and work in prayer, and believe that not one man or woman is above another; thus their name, Common Man Society.
To quote their website, “Iktce Wichasa Oyate is not a camp unto itself but lives within Oceti Sakowin where the Seven Nations Council Fire is lit. They take their guidance and directives from the Spiritual Leaders and Elders and answer directly to them. They can be identified by armbands made of the four sacred color ribbons: yellow, red, white and black.”
The police are attacking the unarmed water protectors; therefore Iktce Wichita Oyate’s primary calling is literally to put their bodies between all danger and the water protectors. Iktce Wichasa Oyate also provides de-escalation during actions, camp patrol 24/7, identify and remove infiltrators and agitators, negotiate with law enforcement and military, escort high profile guests, backup emergency and medic personnel, and provide skilled maintenance and horsemanship.
Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.
There’s a well-produced video of Frank Archambault on the Iktce Wichita Oyate website that shows a softer, gentler side of the man than what I met. I urge you to go through the website, view Frank’s video, and if you are so inclined, donate to this organization of brave warriors. They willingly place themselves in danger to protect the unarmed water protectors.
Below is a photo of Aidoneus Bishop facing off against the militant police.
Courtesy photo.
The next photo introduces a video where an unarmed Aidoneus Bishop stands up to the police.
Courtesy photo.
The video below (Aidoneus in orange) shows the police acting like a cross between goose stepping Germans and the Keystone Cops – some masked and armed and wearing bullet proof vests against the unarmed water protectors. I found it shocking, although there is some taunting going on by the water protectors. The video ends with a few comments from Dallas Goldtooth, of Indigeous Environmental Network. Goldtooth has been a suburb spokesman for the water protectors.
I just learned from a November 27 posting on his Facebook, that Aidoneus Bishop left the camp last Friday to return home. Here’s an excerpt:
Since I have been here, it has been an amazingly rewarding and humbling experience. It has also been very painful.
I have been shot, twice. I have been battoned by a cop, getting a broken rib, while trying to protect medical staff. I was knocked out by three concussion grenades going off next to my head. I have been pepper sprayed. I have been tear gassed. I have been hosed with water in freezing temperatures. I have been adopted, twice. I received feathers for what I have done here. I have made lifelong bonds with new friends and new family. I have been brought into groups, told they would always have my back, only to have them stab me in it when I needed them.
I have watched political games unfold, and seen them crumble. I have stood on a highway in North Dakota, negotiating with a Major General. I have stood on a bridge, facing a massive militarized police force, smoking my cigarette, and looking at every one of them in the eyes. I have taken part in amazing efforts to take back Turtle Mountain. I have stood in front of razor wire, while weapons were pointed directly at me. I have achieved enough status in the eyes of law enforcement, that when I show up somewhere, so do they, in large numbers, they even call me by my name here, “Viking”.
The ravens are calling me home now. They are the ones that brought me here, so did the children. But what about my children? They are calling me too.
Aidoneus Bishop plans to return to the camp in three weeks with supplies. Meanwhile, I’m sure his presence and strength are sorely missed.
I also met another member of the Iktce Wichita Oyate band of warriors, and he and I formed an improbable bond over a battery charger…
Read Part Four tomorrow…
https://www.youcaring.com/ikt-e-wi-h-a-oy-te-the-common-man-s-society-oceti-sakowi-677157
