Jessi Kristine Photography

DAPL. Most people won’t know that it means or represents. For those of you who have been blinded by the ridiculous election, Dakota Access Pipeline (a.k.a. DAPL) is the pipeline that will one day destroy our lands and waters throughout the midwest and the states that are located next to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. DAPL cuts through crops, pastures, sacred lands, and beautiful landscapes. The images above shows just that. The pipeline is being built right through farmland where cows graze. All of which will be contaminated and destroyed once it burst, and it will burst at some point, and that means family farms will lose money in crops and livestock. It will also mean that families will lose precious drinking water from the rivers.

Those of us alive, right now, have been raised by generations that do not give a shit about future generations or the earth. They have taught us to be ignorant, selfish, and greedy. Don’t believe me? Look at how the older generation in charge acts. I mean we have complete IDIOTS running for President and even bigger idiots backing them up. And we have complete IDIOTS running corrupt corporations that suck money away from people who need it more.

Take me back to a place where I belong... 

Since I’ve been back in IL I have had this feeling of displacement. A feeling of uselessness. I know I do not belong in this small town of like-minded people who choose not to do more or to be a part of something greater. I’m starting to long for camp life, for my family, and for the strength and peace that radiate from the people on camp. 

Camp life. And dropping temps. 

All I can say is that the Defenders of the land and water are BADASS. These people have adapted to the weather, especially the dropping temps, like true warriors. 

You can feel the peace, strength, and love of the people immediately once at Sacred Stone Camp. Everyone is family. Even those who haven’t met yet. That is the mentality of the culture behind the camp and those who live there.

Everyone at Sacred Stone Camp has been truly amazing and it has only been 2 days. And that is the honest truth. The Defenders and Protectors have been so welcoming and helpful; they always welcome people by saying, “Welcome home.” And that’s exactly how it feels like, home.

Camp life has been an adjustment, but an easy one. While coming here was slightly nerve-racking, due to being over 850 miles from home, not knowing what to expect, and like a million other things, I immediately felt at peace once I was here. There is a strong feeling of unity once you arrive at Sacred Stone Camp. I’ve never felt so welcomed, or like I’ve belonged in a place or with a group until now. It is truly starting to feel like home to me.

The Defenders and Protectors that I’ve met, so far, have been incredibly helpful, from setting up camp, explaining the rules of the camp, and open to talking about anything and everything. I’ve already learned so much. I even learned some Lakota; “Háu, Jessi emáčiyapi kštó.” “Philámayaye.” “Híŋháŋni.” And their stories of their life are so moving I can’t find the words to describe how I feel. I am truly thankful for this experience and the time that I have with them at Sacred Stone Camp. And I can’t wait to share more from this experience.

Xoxo,

Jessi Kristine