Drumming for the Earth Gathering Set for Saturday on Blood Reserve

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

STANDOFF, ALBERTA - The Friends of the Blood Lands and other environmental coalitions are sponsoring a "Drumming for the Earth Gathering" this Saturday, October 1 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm mdt.

The gathering will have drumming and prayers to protect the earth, water, land, plants and animals on the Blood Indian Reserve.

The Blood Indian Reserve was the scene earlier this month where three Blood Tribe women were arrested for protesting the fracking on the Reserve by the Murphy Oil Company.

The arrested women are part of the Kainai Earth Watch, a group that has been advocating stopping fracking due to the major threat to human health, wildlife, and livestock. Further, the Kainai Earth Watch believes there will be irreversible damage to the land and water supply on the Blood Indian Reserve and surrounding areas.

The Blood Tribe Council entered into an agreement with the Murphy Oil Company in September 2010 that allows for the oil company to begin exploration. Tribal members are upset because the agreement was not brought to a vote by tribal citizens. Many tribal citizens are opposed because of the vast negative impact fracking has the environment and the health of those living on the Reserve.

The "Drumming for the Earth Gathering" will occur near the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 59. Participants are asked to bring chair, tobacco, cloth or ribbons for offering.

posted September 28, 2011 6:00 am edt