EXCERPT : Folk Musicians To The Front: Native Musicians on Standing Rock
December 5, 2016
by Sean Jewell, American Standard Time
The world watches North Dakota. No Dakota Access Pipeline protestors, or #NoDAPL protect against the construction of Energy Transfer Partner‘s crude oil pipeline through sacred lands, and under their aquifier the Missouri River. After a visit to Sacred Stone Camp at the vertex of the protests, pipeline construction, and the Standing Rock Reservation our friend Lee, of Sacramento band Lee Bob & The Truth, got in touch with an album comprised of roots music from indigenous people he’s met in his career.
The result is Solidarity With Standing Rock, a free ten track album branching native chants, folk, rock, and spoken word designed to draw attention to the issue. We reached out to Lee and he put us in touch Keely Dorran (Tiskamogi), sister of of the late Brianna Lea Pruett (Tiskamogi), and artists Marca Cassity (Osage), and Goodshield Aguilar (Oglala Lakota & Pasqua Yoeme).
[ full article & in-depth interview here : Folk Musicians To The Front: Native Musicians on Standing Rock ]
from Lee Bob:
"At Standing Rock, I witnessed the most courageous and inspiring gathering of people I have ever seen. The elders, the International Indigenous Youth Council, the water protectors preparing for daily action, the people working tirelessly in the kitchens, the medics being targeted on the frontline, the self-organized construction teams preparing non-stop for winter … All of these people need our support.
The protectors at Standing Rock are serious & centered. There are no drugs, alcohol or weapons in the camps. The actions are peaceful, prayerful & grounded in ceremony. The indigenous leaders and allies are staying as long as it takes to protect the water and to see that the treaties are honored. Two young warriors from eastern Montana assured me, “we are staying until the Black Snake is dead”. This is the ever-present spirit in the camps.
In this spirit, Brianna Lea Pruett, Marca Cassity, Goodshield Aguilar and I are offering a collection of songs in Solidarity w/ Standing Rock. We offer this in addition to our individual efforts working at Standing Rock. This music is free to stream, download & share. We are not seeking donations on behalf of the camps.
PLEASE continue to give directly to Oceti Sakowin Camp. Their site is an essential stop for anyone serious about visiting the camps or being an ally at home. It is full of historical and relevant, up-to-date information.
If you are looking for actions locally, visit NoDapl Solidarity. If you have specific projects at Standing Rock that need support or are organizing an event in Northern California that I can help with, please contact me directly. It is an honor to be among people using their spirit, voices and actions in this way."
Thank you,
Lee Bob
11.24.2016
