I am writing this as a woman who identifies as indigenous, who claims her roots as Diné. I am writing this as a water drinker. I am writing this for my ancestors before me who fought for my existence. I am writing this for my relatives, who are so strong and resilient. I am writing this for those fighting for our right to clean water. I am writing this because little is more important.
Water is life. No living thing exists without water. In fact, we are made of water. Up to 60 percent of the human body is water. Just as water works in the body to regulate the activity of fluids, tissue, cells, blood and more, water circulates the land, carrying away waste material and replenishing nutrients and organic matter. Other than water being important for our existence, water is also a symbol for purity and devotion. It soothes the spirit, and its beauty inspires music and art. Water is important to many cultures. Access to clean water is a human right.
It is no surprise that it is Natives’ water and land being threatened. After all, Native Americans have endured erasure since colonization of America first began. Even after enduring genocide, Native Americans are more likely to be killed by law enforcement than any other group. You will not find our history or culture in elementary school history books. You will not find representation of us in the media or on television. But we have always been here, fighting for our right to exist, and now for our right to clean water.
DU has owned up to their history in the violence against Native Americans, yet they are still participating in current-day violence by hosting the 2016 Pipeline Leadership Conference. How does DU expect forgiveness if they continue to participate in harm towards indigenous peoples? It is a disgrace to me, as a Native student here at DU, that my university would continue to work towards the erasure and oppression of my relatives.
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a violation of both indigenous and human rights. This will not just affect the water on the reservation but all places the Missouri River connects. It is going to take more than checking in to the Standing Rock Reservation on Facebook. If you can, donate items from the camp’s supply list, contribute to the legal defense fund or call the White House to tell President Obama to stop the pipeline from being built.
If you want to show solidarity with Standing Rock, the DU Native Student Alliance and other DU student organizations are occupying the lawn outside of Anderson Academic Commons on Nov. 15 and 16 in response to the 2016 Pipeline Leadership Conference being held. They are asking for students to wear red.
