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<font color="#006600"><font size="+2">Hey Missoula,</font></font><br>
<br>
<font size="+2">If you are thinking of traveling to stay at the
Sacred Stone Camp near Cannonball, North Dakota on the edge of
the Standing Rock Reservation, there are several key things to
note when staying at the camp. <br>
<b><br>
</b><b>Traditional Lakota and Sioux culture is matriarchal (as
are most Native American tribes). Meaning they honor their
women and have a particular social structure that emphasizes
this</b><b>. </b><br>
<br>
</font>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2"> If you are a woman or identify as a
woman, and wish to <b>participate in ceremony</b>, they
ask that you <b>please wear a skirt or dress</b>. Your of
course welcome to wear pants underneath to stay warm. <br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2"><b>If you are on your moon</b>, the elders
ask that you <b>refrain from participating in ceremony or
spending time around the sacred fire</b>. This is not to
segregate, but to provide adequate space for the prayers
of others to be heard. They say that women on their moon
are very powerful in prayer and can even sometimes
overpower others on accident. <b>They have Moon Lodges in
camp</b> for women to come together and share during
this time. </font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">Another practice in a matriarchal culture,
is to have the <b>women and children</b><b> be served </b><b>food
fir</b><b>st</b>. This was a surprise to many during my
visit, but everyone seemed to handle it well. The men were
so patient and the women so humble and apologetic. We were
told that to deny the honor of being fed first, is to deny
the blessing that was being offered.<br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">But before even the women and children,
they offer what is called a <b>Spirit plate. </b>They
offer a small amount of food to the fire before they serve
the meal to honor their ancestors and the earth. <br>
</font></li>
<br>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">When in the <b>presence of ceremon</b><b>y</b>,
the elders ask that people refrain from <b>taking
photographs or </b><b>film</b>. In some circumstances
with smaller groups you may ask for permission, but you
must respect their answer. They especially emphasize
refraining from taking photographs of the <b>sacred fire.
</b>This is the fire that is always burning, and is the
center of prayer and ceremony for the camp. There is a
main fire, but everyone's fire is considered sacred and
important for connecting with their ancestors. </font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">Most are not anticipating being arrested,
but considering the current circumstances it is important
to prepare yourself. <b>If you are planning on partici</b><b>pating
in a direct action, there is direct action training held
</b><b>in the camp</b><b>.</b> Ask around for the exact
time and location, but I also believe there is a sign
posted. <br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2"><b>Women have reported that they were
asked to remove their bras after being detained</b>
because there is <b>underwire</b> that could be used as a
potential weapon/lock-pick. I would suggest that women <b>wear
a sports bra, or a built- in</b> to prevent the loss of
body heat should you experience being held in a temporary
outdoor holding cell.<br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">It has also been reported that those being
detained have been asked to strip down to <b>one layer of
clothing</b>. Many have experienced extreme cold in
"temporary outdoor holding cells" without proper attire.
My advice would be to <b>wear wool long john's</b><b>/jane</b><b>'s</b><b>
under your clothing</b>, as well as good <b>wool socks</b>.
This will be necessary due to winter weather setting in as
well. <br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">North Dakota is known for temperatures
falling <b>far below zero</b> during their winter season.
There has already been winter weather advisories released
for ND, and many warn of <b>Arctic/Subzero weather con</b><b>ditions</b>.
</font></li>
</ul>
<font size="+2">Please prepare for this. <br>
</font>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2"><b>Must have items to sustain in these
conditions include</b>: Temperature rated waterproof
boots, a down jacket, a rain coat, wool socks, wool long
john's/jane's, thick jeans, snow pants, snow gloves, face
mask that will cover your nose and ears, good neck scarf,
wool hat (warm and waterproof),</font><font size="+2"> an
inflatable sleeping pad that you can roll up would be
ideal for keeping warm and providing cushion for your
bones and joints, </font><font size="+2">a down sleeping
bag (rated for 30 below), </font><font size="+2"> </font><font
size="+2">or a good sleeping bag combined with a wool
blanket, as well as a warm sleeping arrangement. This
could be a temperature rated tent, an R.V., or a Tipi that
can have a fire lit in the middle. There are no trees in
camp, so hammocks are off the table. </font>
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</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">Something else very helpful in camp, that
I would like to add, is the presence of the <b>Legal
Support Tent</b>. It is up on the top of the hill in
camp next to the communications center with phone chargers
and wifi (Dubbed Facebook Hill). At the tent they have a
legal support team with ACLU affiliates to answer
questions and provide support. They also have <b>a form
you can fill out</b>, so that in the event of your
arrest, they can identify you quickly and aid in your
release as quickly as possible. They also have a <b>Jail
Support Number</b> you can call should you become
detained. They recommend you write this number on your
person, because law enforcement will confiscate your
belongings. <br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><font size="+2">CELL PHONES: </font></b><font
size="+2">It has been reported that individuals who have
been detained have had their <b>persona</b><b>l belonging</b><b>s
destroyed or kept</b> by law enforcement. This has
mainly been <b>cell phones and cameras</b>. The Legal
Support Team has said that <b>leaving you</b><b>r phone </b><b>in
your tent or vehi</b><b>cle</b> is the best way to
insure that it remains in your possession. This is of
course if you do not plan on filming or taking photographs
during an action. People have also been experiencing an
extremely short battery life while in camp for reasons
unknown. It is being speculated that there may be an
attempt from law enforcement to technologically sabotage
Standing Rock supporters. Although this obviously cannot
be proven, the fact still remains. People have been
recommending the <b>removal of batteries from cell phones
to prevent this</b>. If you feel that it is important to
have access to your device right away, putting your phone
on <b>airplane mode</b> can help. Just removing the
battery at night can still save power.</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2"><b>Having your own dish and dishware </b>can
be extremely helpful as the numbers in camp have grown
tremendously, and dishes are in short supply. <b>Even
silverware</b>. This can also protect your health as
dish water can hold bacteria, and not all feel comfortable
rinsing with bleach. I suggest rinsing your dish shortly
after eating with a small amount potable water. I have
even used a small spray bottle with a diluted mix of ACV
(Apple Cider Vinegar) and water to sanitize and clean my
dishware, while traveling<b>. </b>This also minimizes
water use.<b> </b>I would use a washcloth to wipe it
clean, and then your washcloth is also sanitized, so it's
okay to reuse for some time. Then you can rinse and dry
it. This can work for people even on the move.<b> </b>I
would usually keep a dish pouch with all of my items
inside to keep them clean and organized.<b> </b><b>Having
your own </b><b>water container, and hot drink thermo</b><b>s</b>
is also key.</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2"><b>Bring</b><b> as m</b><b>uch food as you
can to sustain your</b><b>self an</b><b>d you</b><b>r
group</b> without assistance. <b>Bring something to
donate to the kitchen</b> if you can. Bulk non
perishables like<b> rice and beans</b> are always helpful.<br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">I hear that <b>showers are available, but
not clea</b><b>rly marked</b>. I saw several pop up
showers but not many, and again they seemed private. <b>Laundry
I don't think is something available in camp</b><b> at
this time</b>. I am currently attempting to contact a
local fabricator about his bicycle powered washer machine
model to potentially fund raise around his design so we
can get one out to the camp. This would keep everyone
healthy and allow them to utilize clothing donations in a
safe way.</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">Remember, the Sacred Stone camp is a place
of <b>prayer and ceremony</b>. Please respect this. Also,
please feel free to take part in this, and hold space for
all who have come together for this purpose. We all have a
powerful part to play. <br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><font size="+2">I would just like to add that there is <b>no
alc</b><b>o</b><b>hol or drugs permitted</b> inside the
camp. That should go without saying, but just as a
reminder, don't bring anything inappropriate. This coming
together is very sacred for the tribes, and they ask you
to refrain from these practices while in camp.<br>
</font></li>
</ul>
<p><font size="+3"><br>
</font></p>
<p><font size="+3">If you found this to be helpful, please feel
free to forward and share with others. The more prepared our
water protectors and supporters are, the better they will
do! <br>
</font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="+3">Good practices and proper
protection can keep everyone healthy this winter. If you can
donate any of these above mentioned items, or if you are
planning a trip and can take donations, reply to this email
or contact me at <a moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:kathleen.todd@umconnect.umt.edu">kathleen.todd@umconnect.umt.edu</a></font></p>
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