When word began to spread at Oceti Sakowin camp at Standing Rock on the afternoon of Sunday, December 4th, there was skepticism. The Army Corps of Engineers, some were saying, was about to announce that it was denying the permit which would have allowed the final sections of the Dakota Access Pipeline to be completed. 

Just twenty minutes later, when Dave Archambault II, Chairman of Standing Rock, announced that this hope was indeed true, elation spread among the thousands of people gathered in support of environmental justice and the sovereign rights of the Native people. Success! At least for the time being.

Since April 2016, the encampments at Standing Rock, supported by at least 200 indigenous tribes in North America whose flags were lining the roads within the camp, had been a place of prayer, reflection and direct action. In early November, 500 clergy, over 50 of them Unitarian Universalists, had answered the call to come to Standing Rock. Now, a month later, many of us – numbers yet unknown -- were gathered responding to the invitation from Chief Arvol Looking Horse. 

This weekend, people of faith and conscience will join the thousands of people holding prayerful witness in solidarity with the Water Protectors resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline. For folks traveling to Standing Rock this weekend, please join the UU Solidarity with Standing Rock – Dec 4 Interfaith Day of Prayer Facebook group for up to date information.

Conditions continue to evolve on the ground as resistance and solidarity grows. Whether you’re able to travel to Standing Rock or not, below see some timely resources important to inform and ground your solidarity with this movement. Wherever you are, doing the work to be accountable that is grounded in discernment, reflection and prayer is required as we support the Native-led prayerful organizing taking place in Standing Rock. Click here to find #NoDAPL Solidarity events taking place across the country.

Last Sunday night, in below-freezing temperatures, unarmed water protectors just north of Standing Rock survived shocking assaults from water cannons. Many were traumatized, and some needed emergency room care. In the aftermath of these attacks, and in the months prior, my congregation has received countless messages from people around the country – and world – asking, "What can we do?”

Meanwhile, we have received one of the most important invitations we are ever likely to receive, as people of faith and conviction. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, has called upon each of us to join him at Standing Rock on Sunday, December 4th, for an Interfaith Day of Prayer. In solidarity with indigenous people and mutual love for the water, it is my hope that you and your communities of faith will participate in this history-making day.

As those who have visited know, the nonviolent water protector movement at Standing Rock is deeply rooted in prayer. Each day I spend at Oceti Sakowin camp, I feel myself challenged and inspired to live a more prayerful and faithful life. We awake with prayers, dine with prayers, go to rest with prayers, and pray continuously throughout each day. 

Regardless of what happens today, we know some healing, sustenance and protection will be needed for ourselves and the communities we are part of. We hope our next episode of Fortification brings you some of that love, reflection and fortification.

In our sixth episode of Fortification, Caitlin is joined by Rev. Meg Riley. Meg is currently the Senior Minister at the Church of the Larger Fellowship. Before coming to CLF, Meg served the Unitarian Universalist Association in a variety of positions including directing the Advocacy and Witness Programs, Washington Office for Advocacy, Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender Concerns, and Youth Office. She also was the first Director of Standing on the Side of Love.

In late October, The Rev. John Floberg, supervising priest of the Episcopal church on the North Dakota side of Standing Rock in connection with Clergy for Climate Action, called clergy to Standing Rock from November 2-4, 2016 in solidarity, prayer and action. Over five hundred clergy – including over fifty Unitarian Universalist clergy – answered the call. Standing on the Side of Love’s Nora Rasman joined UUA President Rev. Peter Morales and Special Assistant Dea Brayden.

While in North Dakota, Nora sat down with Rev. Karen Van Fossan, Minister at the UU Fellowship and Church of Bismarck-Mandan and Ronya Hoblit, Action Director of the Native American Training Institute (NATI) and member of the UU Church to learn more about the engagement of their congregation in support of Standing Rock and ways UUs throughout the country can support the work of the water protectors there.

Did you have a chance to read Rev. Karen Van Fossan’s urgent message from last week? The Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist Congregation is providing vital support to the water protectors at Standing Rock. As Karen explained, the situation is getting worse with growing militarized police presence and continued construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline destroying sacred land. Indigenous leaders have issued an urgent call to come, witness, and support their efforts peacefully. Later this week I am traveling to North Dakota to join clergy across faith tradition - including UUs - at Standing Rock in a faithful witness of solidarity in the fight to protect the water supply and stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. To find out more information, sign up and stay engaged, see this call to action. Please take a moment to read Karen’s message and be sure to sign the petition created by the Bismarck Mandan Unitarian Universalist Social Action Working Group. Thank you. 

We need you again in Arizona. For many of you, this is not the first time we have called you to fight human rights abuses against immigrant and People of Color communities in Phoenix. But, it could be the last. As Unitarian Universalists, thousands of us have been part of that fight. Mijente, Puente, and the Not One More Deportation campaign (along with many other community groups) have launched a campaign to invigorate thousands of working class People of Color here in Maricopa County by fighting for the protection, dignity and rights of their communities. They are calling us to action. Calling us because they have had enough of elected officials who are treasured by the right-wing for the sole reason that they are racist. Who have put youth in chain gangs. Forced Brown people in my state to live in fear every time they walk out the door. Spoken with joy about a 'concentration camp' filled with their families. My faith has kept me in this fight alongside them for many years. My faith has called me to not quit, and not turn my back on this fight. So, I will not turn my back on this call. Will you join me? 

Earlier this week, we sent an invitation and call to Phoenix from B. Loewe at Mijente. This fall, we’re doubling down because Black and Latinx organizers across the country are leading local and national actions to stop the violence facing our (and their) communities. For many of us, it has been a confusing season. We have watched the rhetoric and actions of hate intensify and scale up around the country. Everywhere we turn we have to hear evil spoken of our beloveds: our beloved Black family, Brown family, women-identified family, LGBTQ family. It can be hard to know what strategies and projects to participate in at this key moment because there are no easy answers. But campaigns can move us from words to action, from numbness to clarity. They can remind us who we are, what we are working for, and who is by our side. 

As Unitarian Universalists, we say we come when called by the marginalized, by the oppressed, by the justice speakers. So, can you come? It is short notice. It is not convenient. Heck, some of us (I know) cannot even afford it. Yet, if you can please do come. Here in Phoenix there are so many Unitarian Universalists who have left a positive footprint on this long fight against human rights abuses in Maricopa County. Our work alongside this community has mattered before. It matters now.