Winter has hit Standing Rock, North Dakota, where the Standing Rock Sioux and their allies have been camping out for months to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline. As the fight against the pipeline continues, the water protectors on the ground will need more resources to get through the coming days. They must confront not only the reported aggression of the Morton County Sheriff's Department, but also the below-freezing temperatures. You can help the Standing Rock water protectors by donating necessary resources to the ongoing struggle against the pipeline.
There are at least three wish lists on Amazon that offer an easy and efficient way to send essential items to Standing Rock. One of them, Last Real Indians' Standing Rock Needs You, includes all sorts of supplies, such as tarps, cameras, body armor, cold-weather clothing, and portable generators. Another, which was launched by the Standing Rock Medic & Healer Council, focuses specifically on medical needs and cold prevention, though it has been disabled for 24 hours. This wish list — which is especially critical as police use measures such as tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and sound weapons against the protesters — includes medications, snow jackets, thermal blankets, and more. There is also a third wish list from the Sacred Stone Camp that includes sleeping bags, water bottles, lanterns, and ski masks.
In addition to the Amazon wish lists, the Oceti Sakowin Camp features a list of needed supplies on its website. Below, you can take a look at some of the donation requests coming out of the #NoDAPL fight, as well as where to ship your donations.
1. Standing Rock Needs You
This is a pretty comprehensive wish list, and journalist Shaun King plugged this one extensively on Thanksgiving Day so many of the donation requests have been filled. Nevertheless, take a look at the wish list, as the water protectors could always use more resources. Here are a few of the high priority but fairly affordable items being requested:
- Body armor protector
- Two-way radio transceiver
- Instant heat therapy pack
- Wool crewneck
- Fire retardant blanket
There are many other items on the list that still require donations. Once you've selected an item from the wish list, simply proceed to checkout and use the address that LRI provides.
2. Standing Rock Medic & Healer Council
As part of the #NoBlackSnakeFriday action to protest Black Friday, the Standing Rock Medic & Healer Council has turned off its Amazon wish list for 24 hours. However, the list will be back online on Nov. 26, and you can view some of the necessary items on the council's website. These items include:
- Unflavored Milk of Magnesia
- Wool blankets
- Emergency blankets
- Wool socks
- Wool (no cotton) thermal underwear
- Hand warmers
- Safety goggles
- Portable trauma kits
- Straw bales
- Firewood
- Herbal remedies
Check out the website for more details. If you are not purchasing these items through the Amazon wish list, you can ship them to Standing Rock Medic & Healer Council, PO Box 1251, Bismarck, ND 58502. If you're using UPS or FedEx to make your shipment, you should use this address instead: 220 E. Rosser Ave #1251, Bismarck, ND 58502.
3. Sacred Stone Camp
This wish list is specific to the Sacred Stone Camp, and can also be found on the camp's official website. Here are some of the items from this list that the Sacred Stone Camp needs more of:
- Firewood
- Propane
- Reliable 4wd trucks
- Cargo vans
As with the Standing Rock Needs You wish list, you can pick items from this wish list — Sacred Stone asks that you group your items together so that you can consolidate your packages — and ship them to the address that Sacred Stone provides.
4. Oceti Sakowin Camp
This wish list is specific to the Oceti Sakowin Camp. Here is an overview of the supplies the water protectors are asking for; for more detail, you can visit the camp's official website:
- Wood
- Tipis, liners, and poles
- Yurts
- Blankets and winter sleeping bags
- Insulated boots, gloves, and other winter gear
- Bulk food supplies
- Heating stoves
- Propane
- Hay bales
If you are unable to purchase items, the Oceti Sakowin Camp is also accepting cash or check donations, sent to Oceti Sakowin Camp, P.O. Box 298, Cannon Ball, ND 58528.
The fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline is absolutely critical, and we need to do everything we can to support the water protectors on the ground. If you are unable to go to Standing Rock yourself, or are unable to donate at this time, please raise awareness by letting other people know what they can do to help.
