Honey Whakatope shares her experience of spending five nights at Standing Rock.
Honey Whakatope, Benita Tahuri and Ninakaye Taanetinorau at Standing Rock. Photo: Honey Whakatope
Oceti Sakowin Camp, a makeshift tent city next to the Missouri River, is the heart of the protest movement against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Harete “Honey” Whariki Kakewahine Whakatope, (Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngai Tūhoe) last month travelled with five other Māori activists and spent five nights with the Standing Rock Sioux and thousands of other people from around the world who are there to oppose the US$3.8 billion project because it will desecrate sacred land and is a risk to water supplies.
The peaceful protest movement began several months ago and tensions are rising ahead of a December 5 deadline issued by the US Army Corp of Engineers for protesters to leave land where they’ve built a camp.
Militarised police have used pepper spray, blasted activists with water cannons in freezing temperatures and arrested them en mass. There have also been reports that some of those arrested were kept in dog kennels.
Over the next few days, 2000 US military veterans are expected to come to Standing Rock to act as a human shield for the protesters.
There has already been a massive show of support for Standing Rock from Aotearoa through social media and online fundraising. Money raised has been used for travel to the reservation and supplies like food, thermal clothing and blankets ahead of a bitterly cold winter when temperatures fall below -30 degrees Celsius.
Reporter Jemma Brackebush talked with Whakatope about why her group headed over, what it was like and how they helped.
How many New Zealanders were at the reservation?
I was one of six, but we ran into another group of three and were told there was another group of four.
What motivated you to go over there?
It was seeing all the unjust things happening. The rubber bullets, the mace and the fact that they’re peaceful protesters praying, against a fully-equipped army force.
It was weapons against prayer. As an indigenous culture we have an obligation to help our brothers and sisters around the globe, as they would help us. It’s a global issue, fossil fuels and global warming, that nobody is talking about.
Describe the atmosphere over there.
It was amazing to see the unity. It wasn’t just us Māori and them, it’s tribes from all over America and the world. People came from Hawaii, Palestine, Alaska, there were also Inuit.
It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, or what race you are, at the end of the day there’s only one race: the human race. It was about standing in solidarity with Standing Rock so future generations have water to drink.
What happens at the camp on a day-to-day basis?
Honey Whakatope says a prayer with spirit horse rider at Standing Rock. Photo: Supplied
There were prayer circles every morning and night, at the sacred fire. There are four different kitchen tents providing food, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’d help out in the kitchens, hand out blankets and food. We didn’t go there and just go to the frontline, or go to the river and do the haka. There’s a lot to help out and do.
The Army Corps of Engineers have said the protesters need to leave by December 5. It must be tense in the camp?
It’s intense. The camp was under 24-hour surveillance. Protesters are heading to the frontline with masks and goggles for protection after the Army Corps fired rubber bullets and mace spray, but then the Army Corps would say over loud speakers that wearing goggles and masks is an aggressive threat and they may take action.
You helped out in the medical tents, what did you see?
There was one lady who couldn’t see through one of her eyes after she was shot by a rubber bullet that scratched her cheek and hit her in the eye. It was horrible. There were chunks of people’s skin taken out of their backs and knees where they hit were by rubber bullets. The bullets are big and thick, and when you look at one and hold it you can see that it’s going to cause a lot of damage.
What were Native American protesters hoping Māori would bring?
The haka. Our traditional haka - it’s a little bit aggressive. It was like a different kind of boost of strength, because they're such a peaceful nation and they don’t have the assertiveness.
How was the Māori culture received over there?
It was quite a shock. We’re quite young compared to other cultures around the world. I wasn’t expecting to be as welcomed and as known as we are. As soon as we arrived people said we’ve been waiting for you to get here. It was a shock, but it was humbling.
Are there any similarities between what’s happening at Standing Rock and Tino Rangatiratanga?
Definitely, we have our own issues around fracking and oil drilling, so we’re all fighting the same kind of war around protecting Mother Earth.
Answers have been edited for length and clarity.