Gathering to Protect the Sacred Set: Keystone XL Pipeline on Agenda

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

PICKSTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA – Beginning tomorrow, the Ihanktonwan Treaty Steering Committee and The Brave Heart Society are hosting a gathering to protect the sacred from tar sands and the Keystone XL pipeline for three days in South Dakota.

January 23 – 25

The gathering will bring together those interested in environmental issues. At issue now is the mounting pressure on President Barack Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Keystone XL Project is a 1700 mile long crude oil pipeline that would transport between 700,000 to 900,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This pipeline is planned to extend from Alberta, Canada and pass through the states of Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas on its way to the Gulf of Mexico for storage and export overseas.

American Indians and environmentalists oppose the pipeline.

The proposed pipeline coming down through the Plains states has caused great concern, particularly among the Oglala in South Dakota.

TransCanada's proposed pipeline route is right though the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations. It will cross the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System in two places.

The Keystone XL pipeline is opposed by others besides American Indians.

The gathering will bring together ranchers, farmers, business leaders, and others who opposed the pipeline.

Daily Activities

Planners and organizers of the gathering have attempted to break each day into something unique. They released this tentative schedule of topics for each day:

Wednesday, January 23 – Commemorate the 150th Anniversary and Ceremony to Reaffirm the Ihanktonwan Oyate of the Oceti Sakowin 1863 Peace Treaty between the Ihanktonwan, Ponca, and Pawnee Nations; Release a statement to the US Government regarding Treaty Abrogation and the Keystone XL.

Thursday, January 24 – Educate all parties on current status of Keystone XL and Tar Sands through updates, presentations. Facilitate Talking Circles to ensure that all voices are heard.

Friday, January 25 – Hold a Grand Council and sign the International Unity Treaty and Agreement and develop the Protect the Sacred Campaign using "Open Space" and the question: How can we bring our hearts, minds, and resources together to Stop the Tar Sands and Keystone XL?

WHAT:
Gathering to Protect the Sacred

WHEN:
Wednesday, January 23 – Friday, January 25

WHERE:
Ihanktonwan (Yanktown Homelands)

Fort Randall Hotel and Casino
38538 Sd Highway Forty Six
Pickstown, South Dakota 57356
605.487.7871

posted January 22, 2013 6:00 am est