August 15th 2016 I, Juliana Brown Eyes, stand for all women, elders, and children! I stand for Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth!) I may have been arrested today but they will never take away the fight in my heart. I will always stand up for our people and the land. I will go down defending our water against the Dakota Access Pipeline. I am Wanbli Ohitka Win (Brave Eagle Woman.) I am FREE! #nodapl #standingrock #ocetisakowin #lakotastrong August 17th 2016 So I've finally had time to sit down and reflect on everything that has happened in the last couple days. It felt so liberating and powerful to take a stand for Grandmother Earth. For those of you who may not know, I was arrested on August 15, 2016 for defending our water against the Dakota Access Pipeline. I did not resist arrest, I held steadfast in my belief of Non-violent Direct Action. This is my first time offense EVER, I have never received any speeding tickets nor warnings, or broke any laws. I am a Gates Millennium Scholar Alumni and I currently work with Reservations across the US doing community outreach work against suicide, sexual abuse, and drugs. I own and operate 2 small businesses one being my band "Scatter Their Own." We do everything within our means to give back to our community. I don't regret my actions, because I did this for our human right to clean drinking water! Even as I was stripped of all my belongings and clothing. I stood naked before complete strangers with nothing but the prayers of my people. I felt violated, belittled, and dehumanized as I blinked back tears. I was issued a standard orange jumpsuit and ordered to pose for my mugshot. I was fingerprinted just the same as any other "criminal." I was not placed in my own holding cell, but instead the same cell block as women serving hard time for distribution of drugs, theft, arson, and various other offenses. In my short time there I connected, sympathized, ate, and laughed with some of the inmates. There was a total of 8 women including myself, all but 2 were Native American. This was such an educational experience for me as I realized Native Women are being institutionalized for the government's lack of concern on Native issues, Programs, and Education. Please remember to keep these women in your prayers as they are people like you and I. I also heard yesterday that a Federal Judge may approve the injunction for DAPL meaning that all those arrested will have federal charges against them. I did my research for the state of North Dakota. The maximum penalty for Disorderly Conduct (Class B) is 30 days in jail with fines up to $1,000, but a (Class A) offense is punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,000. I am set to appear in court on September 20th. All this legal jargon and $ signs do not scare me. If I could do it all over again I would. I come from a long line of Pipe Carriers, Sundancers, Land Defenders, Water Protectors, Women in Prayer, and Investors! Pilamiya to those continuing to pray, share, defend, and lead. Please get the word out because the mass media has been completely blind to this movement!
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