In Tempore

Documenting citizens and allies of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation) who Oppose the DAPL (Dakota Access Pipeline) - Great Sioux Nation: photo series by Josue Rivas, a native american photographer and activist based in Los Angeles. 

He is currently seeking funding for this project, while Native Americans and protesters await a ruling on an injunction to stop work on the $3.7bn pipeline that threatens their water and protected land. 

Artist Statement: Two weeks ago, I was deeply moved by an urgent plea for support from friends and relatives who are standing in solidarity with the people of the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.  This tribe has been fighting for months to protect their clean water from an oil pipeline that is being constructed on their land. Hundreds of tribal members and allies from around the country have gathered in peaceful prayer at their multiple camps near Canonball, North Dakota to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. This pipeline will cross through four states and carry crude oil across critical habitats, waterways, and sacred sites.

Despite numerous actions, petitions and an upcoming court hearing, the mainstream media is not currently covering this story in a way that represents the native perspective. As a native photojournalist, I feel it is important to let our people tell their own stories. That’s why I’m driving 1,545 miles to connect with the protectors of this land and report on what is happening on the ground.

The goal of my journey is to create photo essays and videos that will reflect the reality of this struggle. These will be pitched to national and international publications to help create awareness of this unfolding story.

read more details on DAPL here.

jonathan toews stares at a can of beer. “it’s not even worth it if there’s no one here to pour it in my mouth” he whispers.