Author Archives: Vi Waln

By Vi Waln The drama and sensationalism drummed up by major news sources continues to cloud the real issue of why there is a huge gathering of human beings in North Dakota. The Sacred Stone, Oceti Sakowin and Rosebud Camps were formed to show support for the Missouri River and all her tributaries. The humanContinue reading “Remain Vigilant, Keep Praying”

By Vi Waln MISSION – A self-proclaimed street minister upset many parents when she shouted inappropriately at several students waiting at the bus stop at the Todd County High School campus last week. Angela Cummings carried a camera to video-tape her visit to the high school campus. She posted what she said was an editedContinue reading “Woman Harasses Students Near Campus”

By Vi Waln I rarely use the word evil. It’s a word best left to the Christian fanatics to pepper their fire and brimstone speeches with. Still, what we’ve all witnessed in person, as well as on social media video shared from Standing Rock, can only be described as evil. The Indigenous people of TurtleContinue reading “We Weren’t Supposed To Survive”

  By Vi Waln Our Lakota ancestors had unwavering faith in the Seventh Generation. Their prayers were from the heart. The prayers they offered long ago were intended for those of us here today. As a people whose lives are based in prayer, we understand that once our prayer is made, we ride on theContinue reading “Oceti Sakowin lit in Ceremony”

    By Vi Waln CANNON BALL – The steady stream of celebrity visitors to the Water Protector camps lends high-profile support in the continued fight to protect major water sources from the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL). On November 12, musician Neil Young turned 71 years old and celebrated by paying an unannounced visit toContinue reading “Young, Hannah Make Unannounced Visit to Oceti Sakowin Camp”

  By Vi Waln CANNON BALL – Anne White Hat, Sicangu Lakota Herbalist, created several remedies which were recently distributed to the Water Protectors residing in the Sacred Stone, Rosebud and Oceti Sakowin camps. “I make an amazing cough syrup that is so good you can put it on your pancakes,” stated White Hat. SheContinue reading “Sicangu Herbalist Brings Healing”

  By Vi Waln Our Indigenous women are amazing. Over the weekend an event was organized by Lyla June Johnston and Cheryl Angel in Mandan, North Dakota. This event was held to bring awareness to how crucial forgiveness is for the human race. Most of you are aware of the events which have been happeningContinue reading “Forgiveness is Powerful”

By Vi Waln Technology allowed many of us to witness the violence perpetrated against innocent human beings last week by the Morton County military. The men and women who pushed innocent people south on North Dakota highway 1806, were fully clad in riot gear and can no longer be viewed as mere police officers. High-techContinue reading “Traumatized by Morton County’s Army”

By Vi Waln Oceti Sakowin Camp, located just north of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, is a place we all must visit. There have been many great photos, stories and video clips from this camp shared on social media sites. People who use social media and cannot travel to visit the camp in person, doContinue reading “Oceti Sakowin: A Place of Spiritual Power”

By Vi Waln Lakota social systems have always revolved around strong kinship ties. Yet, the ongoing colonization of our people has undermined our sense of relationship to one another. Still, despite all we have faced as Indigenous people, the basic virtue of caring for one’s extended family is still alive in contemporary Lakota society. SeptemberContinue reading “Our Children Need Lakota Kinship”