NEAR CANNON BALL, N.D. – The Osage Nation delegation arrived at the Sacred Stone Camp at approximately 5:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
As the delegations’ vehicles came over a small hillside they could see the campsites. The sight was breathtaking. Locals riding on horseback, with other riders greeting one another, and children playing. It seemed like a peaceful place. For a split second, the delegation thought they had taken a step back in time.
The Sacred Stone Camp, the peaceful protest hub that is currently being occupied by thousands of individuals protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline that plans to run through the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation, is filled with tents, shades and teepees. Women are cooking and taking care of their campsites, men are carrying wood, and others are gathered under shades and look to be sharing stories. People can be heard laughing throughout the camp.
Security waited for the Osage delegation at the entrance. Signs were posted on both sides of the road. Each sign with the quotes “Water is Life” and “NoDAPL.”
With the events that have occurred during the past couple of days, a private security firm used pepper spray on the protestors and allowed their dogs to bite people, the locals wanted to make sure that everyone was checked in with the proper credentials as far as “media” goes. The delegation was told that news stories have been turned around about the peaceful gathering that is Sacred Stone Camp.
The Osages who came along for the trip got out of their vehicles and started looking around. They are Herman Sleeper, Wahzhazhe Youth Council President Alaina Maker and her sister Julie Maker, Margo Gray, Dava Daylight and Gage McKinley-Gray.
A woman who was sitting in her vehicle began to look at the Osage women as they put on their Pendleton blankets. She leaned out of her vehicle and asked “Where are you from?” The Osage delegation turned to look at her and Gray said, “We’re Osage. We came from Oklahoma.” The woman shook her head softly and smiled at everyone and said, “Welcome … thank you for coming.”
With the surroundings unfamiliar a very familiar face approached their vehicles. Mary Mashunkashey, former Osage Nation Tax Commissioner, is in the Bismarck area for a Tribal Leadership Meeting and heard about the Osages who were coming to the camp. The group greeted her with welcome arms.
Mashunkashey notified the camp coordinators about their arrival. At that point, they were directed to move to the front so that they could be introduced to the crowd.
As the Osages walked in their Pendleton blankets the crowd began to get silent. Gray greeted everyone and gave a little history on the Osage and about their reason for standing with Standing Rock.
After introductions were made Daylight said a prayer in Osage. At one point her voice became sad. The local tribal members stood up by their chairs and put their heads down and prayed with her.
Sleeper carried the Osage Nation flag and held it with pride as the Osages were greeted at the Sacred Stone Camp.
After their introductions, Gray wanted to give the Osage Nation flag to the camp so that the nation’s flag could fly with the other tribal flags on their poles. When the flag was passed over, the crowd began to applaud as it was held up in the air by Charles Walker, a Standing Rock Sioux tribal council member. The men began to yell out in war cries and the women began to lulu.
“I got choked up for a little bit,” said Alaina Maker after hearing the war cries.
The U-Haul was surrounded by the locals upon arrival. The Osage Nation delegation was directed as to where to park the vehicle so that it could be unloaded.
When the door was slid open they began to help Julia and Alaina Maker, McKinley-Gray and Daylight unload the items.
The unloading process took approximately 40 minutes.
After the U-Haul was emptied the Osage delegation smiled at one another.
Camp Life
The Osage delegation began to make their journey around the campsites. They saw horses tied up, kids running around, and saw tribes setting up more camps. The weather felt like a cool fall evening. Gray looked around and said, “This is amazing. Look at all these camps.” The smell of burnt wood filled the air as if they were getting ready for a meal.
At the end of the day, the delegation began to feel tired from their long journey to North Dakota. But, before retiring for the night, they wanted to help cook.
For more information about Sacred Stone Camp, visit: www.sacredstonecamp.org
By
Chalene Toehay-Tartsah
Original Publish Date: 2016-09-07 00:00:00
