thank you all for the warm welcome my name again is chase iron eyes Hamid
name again is chase iron eyes Hamid
name again is chase iron eyes Hamid occupied Shantae washed in a bitch I
occupied Shantae washed in a bitch I
occupied Shantae washed in a bitch I used up a low right you all got that
that means my relatives I greet you with
that means my relatives I greet you with a heartfelt handshake or a handshake
a heartfelt handshake or a handshake
a heartfelt handshake or a handshake from the heart I come to you today I’m
from the heart I come to you today I’m
from the heart I come to you today I’m most honored most privileged and humbled
most honored most privileged and humbled
most honored most privileged and humbled to be able to stand before you and to be
to be able to stand before you and to be
to be able to stand before you and to be a voice this story that I’m about to
a voice this story that I’m about to
a voice this story that I’m about to tell you happened you know a lot of
tell you happened you know a lot of
tell you happened you know a lot of things in life we don’t plan everybody
things in life we don’t plan everybody
things in life we don’t plan everybody knows that the young people are starting
knows that the young people are starting
knows that the young people are starting to realize that you can’t plan
to realize that you can’t plan
to realize that you can’t plan everything I spent the last four years
everything I spent the last four years
everything I spent the last four years prior to running for the United States
prior to running for the United States
prior to running for the United States Congress being a voice for Native
Congress being a voice for Native
Congress being a voice for Native America I studied political science and
America I studied political science and
America I studied political science and Native American Studies and undergrad
Native American Studies and undergrad
Native American Studies and undergrad and then I went to the University of
and then I went to the University of
and then I went to the University of Denver College of Law to understand
Denver College of Law to understand
Denver College of Law to understand international law to understand federal
international law to understand federal
international law to understand federal Indian law and how nation states how the
Indian law and how nation states how the
Indian law and how nation states how the doctrine of discovery how international
doctrine of discovery how international
doctrine of discovery how international schools of thought really see the law
schools of thought really see the law
schools of thought really see the law and give us a place in our world in our
and give us a place in our world in our
and give us a place in our world in our country we are a young country as
country we are a young country as
country we are a young country as America we’ve got a lot to learn and
America we’ve got a lot to learn and
America we’ve got a lot to learn and we’ve got to learn that tribal nations
we’ve got to learn that tribal nations
we’ve got to learn that tribal nations have a lot to share we are engaged right
have a lot to share we are engaged right
have a lot to share we are engaged right now in the most serious fight of our
now in the most serious fight of our
now in the most serious fight of our generation it is a fight for water
generation it is a fight for water
generation it is a fight for water security our mantra is water is life
security our mantra is water is life
security our mantra is water is life we Tony I never thought that I would
we Tony I never thought that I would
we Tony I never thought that I would hear those words those syllables in a
hear those words those syllables in a
hear those words those syllables in a room a beautiful place such as this
room a beautiful place such as this
room a beautiful place such as this nobody knows how old our languages are
nobody knows how old our languages are
nobody knows how old our languages are and right now we’ve got to be clear that
and right now we’ve got to be clear that
and right now we’ve got to be clear that the fight is not between Indian people
the fight is not between Indian people
the fight is not between Indian people Native American people and white people
Native American people and white people
Native American people and white people or even state governments federal
or even state governments federal
or even state governments federal governments the fight is between people
governments the fight is between people
governments the fight is between people who want clean drinking water and the
who want clean drinking water and the
who want clean drinking water and the corporation’s who have at their disposal
corporation’s who have at their disposal
corporation’s who have at their disposal all arms and institutions of the state
all arms and institutions of the state
all arms and institutions of the state to force their will not only on Indian
to force their will not only on Indian
to force their will not only on Indian people but on all of us this is a time
people but on all of us this is a time
people but on all of us this is a time for serious introspection the theme of
for serious introspection the theme of
for serious introspection the theme of our gathering here today is the power of
our gathering here today is the power of
our gathering here today is the power of one what is one what is the power of one
one what is one what is the power of one
one what is one what is the power of one the power of one is the god-given
the power of one is the god-given
the power of one is the god-given ability to transcend any superficial or
ability to transcend any superficial or
ability to transcend any superficial or artificial classification measure such
artificial classification measure such
artificial classification measure such as such as your phenotype your skin
as such as your phenotype your skin
as such as your phenotype your skin color or your language your religions
color or your language your religions
color or your language your religions your songs your dances your culture
your songs your dances your culture
your songs your dances your culture beautiful cultures beautiful differences
beautiful cultures beautiful differences
beautiful cultures beautiful differences that make us stronger because we respect
that make us stronger because we respect
that make us stronger because we respect them but no doubt we must transcend our
them but no doubt we must transcend our
them but no doubt we must transcend our differences right now in our country you
differences right now in our country you
differences right now in our country you can feel it I felt it on my flight over
can feel it I felt it on my flight over
can feel it I felt it on my flight over here I felt that one of the good ones
here I felt that one of the good ones
here I felt that one of the good ones got away in Bernard Sanders right we can
got away in Bernard Sanders right we can
got away in Bernard Sanders right we can all
all
all [Music]
you know but we’ve got to get through
you know but we’ve got to get through this this is where we the people have to
this this is where we the people have to
this this is where we the people have to step up when I decided to run for
step up when I decided to run for
step up when I decided to run for Congress it truly was out of necessity
Congress it truly was out of necessity
Congress it truly was out of necessity because our worldview does not value
because our worldview does not value
because our worldview does not value water it does not value the rivers it
water it does not value the rivers it
water it does not value the rivers it does not value the streams the mountains
does not value the streams the mountains
does not value the streams the mountains the land the sacred sites when we
the land the sacred sites when we
the land the sacred sites when we calculate GDP we don’t take into account
calculate GDP we don’t take into account
calculate GDP we don’t take into account deforestation we don’t take into account
deforestation we don’t take into account
deforestation we don’t take into account species extinction or the potential to
species extinction or the potential to
species extinction or the potential to destroy entire river systems we do not
destroy entire river systems we do not
destroy entire river systems we do not have a true cost economy and we are
have a true cost economy and we are
have a true cost economy and we are taking things for granted and we can no
taking things for granted and we can no
taking things for granted and we can no longer do that we need to be part of the
longer do that we need to be part of the
longer do that we need to be part of the Great Awakening happening right now
it’s happening right now in our country
it’s happening right now in our country and just like water just like the power
and just like water just like the power
and just like water just like the power of one water is the power of one water
of one water is the power of one water
of one water is the power of one water unites us all water is part of you you
unites us all water is part of you you
unites us all water is part of you you are born into water in the womb
are born into water in the womb
are born into water in the womb according to our cosmology a cosmology
according to our cosmology a cosmology
according to our cosmology a cosmology original to this hemisphere but
original to this hemisphere but
original to this hemisphere but welcoming of all cosmologies and
welcoming of all cosmologies and
welcoming of all cosmologies and cultures from around the world tells us
cultures from around the world tells us
cultures from around the world tells us it lets us know from mythological and
it lets us know from mythological and
it lets us know from mythological and geological times of a billion years ago
geological times of a billion years ago
geological times of a billion years ago that water is imbued with the power of
that water is imbued with the power of
that water is imbued with the power of creation water truly unites us all and
creation water truly unites us all and
creation water truly unites us all and just like water a stream just like that
just like water a stream just like that
just like water a stream just like that stream decides that it’s going to break
stream decides that it’s going to break
stream decides that it’s going to break through its banks it’s going to cut a
through its banks it’s going to cut a
through its banks it’s going to cut a new course because it’s got the power of
new course because it’s got the power of
new course because it’s got the power of the spring thaw that’s what we have to
the spring thaw that’s what we have to
the spring thaw that’s what we have to do in our country we have to break our
do in our country we have to break our
do in our country we have to break our banks how do you like that pun I didn’t
banks how do you like that pun I didn’t
banks how do you like that pun I didn’t even plan that but we’ve got to chart a
even plan that but we’ve got to chart a
even plan that but we’ve got to chart a new course it’s totally possible and
new course it’s totally possible and
new course it’s totally possible and never before has it been more necessary
never before has it been more necessary
never before has it been more necessary I didn’t plan to get into the water
I didn’t plan to get into the water
I didn’t plan to get into the water fight I was trying to run for the United
fight I was trying to run for the United
fight I was trying to run for the United States Congress to be the first Native
States Congress to be the first Native
States Congress to be the first Native American to hold that seat
but as they say things don’t always go
but as they say things don’t always go as planned and I was out on a boat
as planned and I was out on a boat
as planned and I was out on a boat enjoying all the wonders of first world
enjoying all the wonders of first world
enjoying all the wonders of first world amenities taking my kids tubing and I
amenities taking my kids tubing and I
amenities taking my kids tubing and I get a text this is when the pipeline
get a text this is when the pipeline
get a text this is when the pipeline fight started heating up the images that
fight started heating up the images that
fight started heating up the images that you’re seeing are where it has gone to
you’re seeing are where it has gone to
you’re seeing are where it has gone to where it has devolved to and where it
where it has devolved to and where it
where it has devolved to and where it has regressed to but in the beginning I
has regressed to but in the beginning I
has regressed to but in the beginning I wasn’t involved I was trying to run a
wasn’t involved I was trying to run a
wasn’t involved I was trying to run a u.s. congressional race I was out on a
u.s. congressional race I was out on a
u.s. congressional race I was out on a boat and I get a text that my wife has
boat and I get a text that my wife has
boat and I get a text that my wife has been arrested now my wife has about ten
been arrested now my wife has about ten
been arrested now my wife has about ten more years of academic training than I
more years of academic training than I
more years of academic training than I have she’s a pediatric physician with
have she’s a pediatric physician with
have she’s a pediatric physician with who’s a specialist in Adolescent
who’s a specialist in Adolescent
who’s a specialist in Adolescent Medicine she’s a Stanford med grad she’s
Medicine she’s a Stanford med grad she’s
Medicine she’s a Stanford med grad she’s the head of the only clinic on the
the head of the only clinic on the
the head of the only clinic on the Standing Rock nation she’s a rock star
Standing Rock nation she’s a rock star
Standing Rock nation she’s a rock star and for her for somebody of her stature
and for her for somebody of her stature
and for her for somebody of her stature to go to the site of the protest to go
to go to the site of the protest to go
to go to the site of the protest to go to the frontline and decide based on her
to the frontline and decide based on her
to the frontline and decide based on her own moral and spiritual conviction that
own moral and spiritual conviction that
own moral and spiritual conviction that she could not take it anymore
she could not take it anymore
she could not take it anymore the acts of violence which were being
the acts of violence which were being
the acts of violence which were being perpetrated on mother earth the risks
perpetrated on mother earth the risks
perpetrated on mother earth the risks that we were being asked to bear at
that we were being asked to bear at
that we were being asked to bear at Standing Rock an Indian Reservation the
Standing Rock an Indian Reservation the
Standing Rock an Indian Reservation the site where they moved the pipeline state
site where they moved the pipeline state
site where they moved the pipeline state authorities moved the pipeline from
authorities moved the pipeline from
authorities moved the pipeline from Bismarck North Dakota the capital city
Bismarck North Dakota the capital city
Bismarck North Dakota the capital city population of which is mostly Caucasian
population of which is mostly Caucasian
population of which is mostly Caucasian where we made our home for the last
where we made our home for the last
where we made our home for the last eight years they moved the pipeline from
eight years they moved the pipeline from
eight years they moved the pipeline from there to the Indian Reservation and
there to the Indian Reservation and
there to the Indian Reservation and they’re asking us right now to look our
they’re asking us right now to look our
they’re asking us right now to look our children in the eye and to tell them you
children in the eye and to tell them you
children in the eye and to tell them you must now bear the risk
must now bear the risk
must now bear the risk of cancer you must now bear the risk of
of cancer you must now bear the risk of
of cancer you must now bear the risk of dirty water you must now put your life
dirty water you must now put your life
dirty water you must now put your life at risk this is what they’re asking us
at risk this is what they’re asking us
at risk this is what they’re asking us and we’re coming wherever we have to go
and we’re coming wherever we have to go
and we’re coming wherever we have to go to let you know that we need help
to let you know that we need help
to let you know that we need help because at one point or another
because at one point or another
because at one point or another right now they’re coming for Indians but
right now they’re coming for Indians but
right now they’re coming for Indians but they’re coming for your water or your
they’re coming for your water or your
they’re coming for your water or your life at some point look at who in here
life at some point look at who in here
life at some point look at who in here knows about the Nelson County situation
now more than ever we have to stick
now more than ever we have to stick together we have to transcend all those
together we have to transcend all those
together we have to transcend all those differences I don’t want to talk about I
differences I don’t want to talk about I
differences I don’t want to talk about I don’t want to name names or say Trump
don’t want to name names or say Trump
don’t want to name names or say Trump out loud but we are going to be tested
out loud but we are going to be tested
out loud but we are going to be tested all of those differences which have been
all of those differences which have been
all of those differences which have been used they’re very real differences and
used they’re very real differences and
used they’re very real differences and it’s easy to exploit those differences
it’s easy to exploit those differences
it’s easy to exploit those differences but we have to cut through those we have
but we have to cut through those we have
but we have to cut through those we have to the future of our country depends on
to the future of our country depends on
to the future of our country depends on it we have to realize that we’ve got to
it we have to realize that we’ve got to
it we have to realize that we’ve got to share we’ve got to value the
share we’ve got to value the
share we’ve got to value the civilization the regenerative
civilization the regenerative
civilization the regenerative civilization that existed here for tens
civilization that existed here for tens
civilization that existed here for tens of thousands of years we have a lot to
of thousands of years we have a lot to
of thousands of years we have a lot to learn from each other that mission that
learn from each other that mission that
learn from each other that mission that work falls upon us we have to take
work falls upon us we have to take
work falls upon us we have to take responsibility for that work I have full
responsibility for that work I have full
responsibility for that work I have full faith and everybody in this room I know
faith and everybody in this room I know
faith and everybody in this room I know that you’re not here by accident that
that you’re not here by accident that
that you’re not here by accident that you come as an open vessel probably
you come as an open vessel probably
you come as an open vessel probably because you’re trying to answer to your
because you’re trying to answer to your
because you’re trying to answer to your conscious your conscience you’re trying
conscious your conscience you’re trying
conscious your conscience you’re trying to connect with a higher consciousness
to connect with a higher consciousness
to connect with a higher consciousness you’re trying to seek the divine nature
you’re trying to seek the divine nature
you’re trying to seek the divine nature in yourselves and in
in yourselves and in
in yourselves and in everybody who has something to share you
everybody who has something to share you
everybody who has something to share you all have something to share you’re all
all have something to share you’re all
all have something to share you’re all leaders in my eyes but we need to stick
leaders in my eyes but we need to stick
leaders in my eyes but we need to stick together and we need to help each other
together and we need to help each other
together and we need to help each other because what you see in the background
because what you see in the background
because what you see in the background that fight is potentially coming to all
that fight is potentially coming to all
that fight is potentially coming to all of us water is the most profitable
of us water is the most profitable
of us water is the most profitable global industry only next to oil and
global industry only next to oil and
global industry only next to oil and electricity we could base a whole
electricity we could base a whole
electricity we could base a whole currency off of water so we have to
currency off of water so we have to
currency off of water so we have to realize how important it is those values
realize how important it is those values
realize how important it is those values must translate into our economic systems
must translate into our economic systems
must translate into our economic systems water is sacred but it’s also good
water is sacred but it’s also good
water is sacred but it’s also good business to protect water resources
business to protect water resources
business to protect water resources because all forms of economic
because all forms of economic
because all forms of economic development flow directly from our water
development flow directly from our water
development flow directly from our water security I want to thank you for the
security I want to thank you for the
security I want to thank you for the short bit of time I get we eat with you
short bit of time I get we eat with you
short bit of time I get we eat with you today
today
today truly it’s my honor and my privilege and
truly it’s my honor and my privilege and
truly it’s my honor and my privilege and I’m humbled to speak before you thank
I’m humbled to speak before you thank
I’m humbled to speak before you thank you
so seriously I know that obviously you
so seriously I know that obviously you don’t want to mention Trump or the
don’t want to mention Trump or the
don’t want to mention Trump or the election but but but seriously how does
election but but but seriously how does
election but but but seriously how does this election and how our politics
this election and how our politics
this election and how our politics playing into this situation right now
playing into this situation right now
playing into this situation right now Paulette politics will always play into
Paulette politics will always play into
Paulette politics will always play into this situation I didn’t know this until
this situation I didn’t know this until
this situation I didn’t know this until I ran for Congress that money has
I ran for Congress that money has
I ran for Congress that money has totally hijacked our democracy and
totally hijacked our democracy and
totally hijacked our democracy and hijacked our politicians right now right
hijacked our politicians right now right
hijacked our politicians right now right now in North Dakota we have a governor
now in North Dakota we have a governor
now in North Dakota we have a governor who owns financial interests and has a
who owns financial interests and has a
who owns financial interests and has a financial stake in the Dakota access
financial stake in the Dakota access
financial stake in the Dakota access pipeline we have a senator with the same
pipeline we have a senator with the same
pipeline we have a senator with the same set of circumstances in my situation as
set of circumstances in my situation as
set of circumstances in my situation as a lawyer circumstances that if I behave
a lawyer circumstances that if I behave
a lawyer circumstances that if I behave that way I would lose my law license
that way I would lose my law license
that way I would lose my law license because it’s unethical but right now I
because it’s unethical but right now I
because it’s unethical but right now I mean this this hits close to home right
mean this this hits close to home right
mean this this hits close to home right here it’s hitting close to home with a
here it’s hitting close to home with a
here it’s hitting close to home with a new president who’s vowing to revive the
new president who’s vowing to revive the
new president who’s vowing to revive the Keystone XL pipeline and who I know will
Keystone XL pipeline and who I know will
Keystone XL pipeline and who I know will further escalate and militarize and
further escalate and militarize and
further escalate and militarize and brutalize people who are standing up for
brutalize people who are standing up for
brutalize people who are standing up for clean drinking water for 10 to 18
clean drinking water for 10 to 18
clean drinking water for 10 to 18 million people in our largest river
million people in our largest river
million people in our largest river resource in our country how can we help
resource in our country how can we help
resource in our country how can we help yes we we have to come together the one
yes we we have to come together the one
yes we we have to come together the one particular way that we can help is we
particular way that we can help is we
particular way that we can help is we can help boost each other’s stories I’m
can help boost each other’s stories I’m
can help boost each other’s stories I’m gonna look into Nelson County but I also
gonna look into Nelson County but I also
gonna look into Nelson County but I also needs you to look into water is life in
needs you to look into water is life in
needs you to look into water is life in the node Apple fight at the confluence
the node Apple fight at the confluence
the node Apple fight at the confluence of the cannon ball and Missouri rivers
of the cannon ball and Missouri rivers
of the cannon ball and Missouri rivers if you look for Standing Rock org or
if you look for Standing Rock org or
if you look for Standing Rock org or last real Indians dot-com look at any of
last real Indians dot-com look at any of
last real Indians dot-com look at any of this any of the social media sites
this any of the social media sites
this any of the social media sites there’s been sort of a media blackout
there’s been sort of a media blackout
there’s been sort of a media blackout but as we’ve seen with the advent of
but as we’ve seen with the advent of
but as we’ve seen with the advent of social media and the digitization of our
social media and the digitization of our
social media and the digitization of our society for good bad and ugly we can do
society for good bad and ugly we can do
society for good bad and ugly we can do powerful things with just the power of
powerful things with just the power of
powerful things with just the power of one with just the power of people being
one with just the power of people being
one with just the power of people being willing to help each other so just
willing to help each other so just
willing to help each other so just sharing our stories that
sharing our stories that
sharing our stories that good enough donating that’s even better
good enough donating that’s even better
good enough donating that’s even better talking to your people your networks
talking to your people your networks
talking to your people your networks that’s even as important as being on the
that’s even as important as being on the
that’s even as important as being on the front line we understand not everybody
front line we understand not everybody
front line we understand not everybody can be at the front line people are
can be at the front line people are
can be at the front line people are getting shot with rubber bullets with
getting shot with rubber bullets with
getting shot with rubber bullets with beanbags they’re getting may store
beanbags they’re getting may store
beanbags they’re getting may store getting tear gassed they’re being
getting tear gassed they’re being
getting tear gassed they’re being brutalized American citizens right now
brutalized American citizens right now
brutalized American citizens right now are being subjected to martial law so we
are being subjected to martial law so we
are being subjected to martial law so we all need to get woke and stay woke
all need to get woke and stay woke
all need to get woke and stay woke because we have hard times
so so full disclosure many of the people
so so full disclosure many of the people in this community may have seen me on
in this community may have seen me on
in this community may have seen me on the news before I feel this very
the news before I feel this very
the news before I feel this very personally we have family property where
personally we have family property where
personally we have family property where our homestead is where the the Atlantic
our homestead is where the the Atlantic
our homestead is where the the Atlantic Coast pipeline is coming right through
Coast pipeline is coming right through
Coast pipeline is coming right through the center of it and it would would ruin
the center of it and it would would ruin
the center of it and it would would ruin that that planned for our family in our
that that planned for our family in our
that that planned for our family in our life but what I also understand is that
life but what I also understand is that
life but what I also understand is that in your case in January we think this
in your case in January we think this
in your case in January we think this thing resolves one way or another it
thing resolves one way or another it
thing resolves one way or another it sort of has to by my mandate of what’s
sort of has to by my mandate of what’s
sort of has to by my mandate of what’s going on when that happens then what
going on when that happens then what
going on when that happens then what what’s next
what’s next
what’s next we’ve got to be truthful with ourselves
we’ve got to be truthful with ourselves
we’ve got to be truthful with ourselves look we’re a country that uses 20
look we’re a country that uses 20
look we’re a country that uses 20 million barrels of oil per day our
million barrels of oil per day our
million barrels of oil per day our entire legal political and physical
entire legal political and physical
entire legal political and physical infrastructure and institutions is based
infrastructure and institutions is based
infrastructure and institutions is based on petrol chemicals and other industry
on petrol chemicals and other industry
on petrol chemicals and other industry we have to be truthful about that this
we have to be truthful about that this
we have to be truthful about that this means that we have to find a path
means that we have to find a path
means that we have to find a path forward the world is looking to us to
forward the world is looking to us to
forward the world is looking to us to lead look they always say that pipelines
lead look they always say that pipelines
lead look they always say that pipelines are the safest but I don’t think they’re
are the safest but I don’t think they’re
are the safest but I don’t think they’re taken into account destruction of our
taken into account destruction of our
taken into account destruction of our water resource and we just need to
water resource and we just need to
water resource and we just need to revalue things we need to start seeing
revalue things we need to start seeing
revalue things we need to start seeing each other as human beings not now I
each other as human beings not now I
each other as human beings not now I don’t know if your since campaigning I
don’t know if your since campaigning I
don’t know if your since campaigning I don’t call white people white people
don’t call white people white people
don’t call white people white people Itamar you’re German you’re German
Itamar you’re German you’re German
Itamar you’re German you’re German Norwegian Swede Russian whatever we all
Norwegian Swede Russian whatever we all
Norwegian Swede Russian whatever we all have a culture here but we’ve got to see
have a culture here but we’ve got to see
have a culture here but we’ve got to see we’ve got to see through that and see
we’ve got to see through that and see
we’ve got to see through that and see that we’re in the same struggle we’re in
that we’re in the same struggle we’re in
that we’re in the same struggle we’re in that same struggle and it’s right here
that same struggle and it’s right here
that same struggle and it’s right here in our country we have to create the
in our country we have to create the
in our country we have to create the reality the political economic and
reality the political economic and
reality the political economic and cultural reality that we want our
cultural reality that we want our
cultural reality that we want our grandkids to be raised and that’s that’s
grandkids to be raised and that’s that’s
grandkids to be raised and that’s that’s our responsibility that’s not a
our responsibility that’s not a
our responsibility that’s not a government’s responsibility so we need
government’s responsibility so we need
government’s responsibility so we need to start sharing with each other as
to start sharing with each other as
to start sharing with each other as human beings and as people Wow
human beings and as people Wow
human beings and as people Wow thank you
the thing that you said the thing that
the thing that you said the thing that you said that really resonates with me
you said that really resonates with me
you said that really resonates with me is we the people ultimately we the
is we the people ultimately we the
is we the people ultimately we the people are the only ones who can solve
people are the only ones who can solve
people are the only ones who can solve this so with deep respect for what you
this so with deep respect for what you
this so with deep respect for what you all are doing in Standing Rock thank you
all are doing in Standing Rock thank you
all are doing in Standing Rock thank you thank you my honor
”
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