Int'l Indigenous Youth Council

On August 30th I left my home in Phoenix, AZ to begin my journey to be with the people of Standing Rock. The fight to terminate the Dakota Access Pipeline had been taking place months prior to my arrival on September 5th and with help from many of you (likely reading this now), I was able to deliver over $3000 worth of supplies to the Oceti Sakowin/Sacred Stone camps. 

The gifts I purchased with your donations ranged from camp gear to chemical-resistant splash goggles (to protect water defenders from mace attacks), canned goods to school supplies and all were deeply appreciated wherever I took them.

**Updated 11/30

What started as a one week journey turned into two. In my second week in camp was the day of the first dog and mace attacks at Sacred Grounds. Three months later, I've witnessed all of the IIYC get maced and be shot at with "less-than-lethal" weapons such as rubber bullets and bean bags. I've seen them stand with white faces after having tear gas shot at point blank range, directly at their heads. I've sat in the hospital with my little sister not once, but twice, after the same police officer broke and then re-broke her wrist. I've washed mace from their hair, hugged them after they've had seizures from flash grenades and cried with them every single time they've asked, "Why won't anyone stop this? When will it end?" 

With your donations we've bailed members out of jail, replaced tires, winterized our main camp, fed 20 core members for two solid months, chopped wood not only for ourselves but for elderly unci (grandma) neighbors, bought warm weather clothing, filled up gas tanks, reserved hotel rooms for shower days and warm restful nights and have even had a handful of group meals when we needed a break from our frontline reality. 

I've edited our most current needs list to reflect what it is we honestly need the most. If you know of anyone willing to donate/sponsor these things, please contact us directly at [email redacted] and we will designate raised funds to go elsewhere. All of your support has been overwhelming, appreciated and so needed. 

*Things we need the most* 

Wood
Bullet-proof vests: sizes M, L, XL, XXL
Lacrosse gear (protective padding for shoulders/arms)
Hockey masks
Tire chains
Ground cloths/sleeping pads
Wagon
Thick rugs for tent/tipi floors
Ice axe
Solar generator
Solar charger 
Rainy day room fund (there is a hotel with a laundry room approximately 15 minutes from the camp and having a place to shower/wash clothes is something that all of the campers relish being able to do!)
Gas


Please share with those that you think would like to support this cause and thank you again for all your assistance in the past and in the present. 

Remember, mni wiconi (water is life)! Iheedn. <3