Veterans at Standing Rock shock tribe members, beg forgiveness for war crimes against tribal nations

U.S. military veterans kneel before tribal members at Standing Rock

Jon Eagle Sr., Tribal Historic Preservation Officer at Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has reported something wholly unexpected happened at the Standing Rock Reservation today. The veterans gathered to join the Dakota Pipeline protest stunned the gathered tribal members when they took a knee and asked for forgiveness:

Musical artist Tina Malia was also on hand for the heartwarming event and notes there were no dry eyes in the room:

Here’s video:

Veterans join Native elders in #NoDAPL celebration ceremony and ask for forgiveness https://t.co/qTDPWYXp1z pic.twitter.com/VwspEE6Iki

— Salon (@Salon) December 5, 2016

Tuesday, Dec 6, 2016 · 12:29:22 AM +00:00 · navajo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

On this day of forgiveness, this is not the time to take action over Fireheart Creek also known as Backwater Bridge. It’s time to build our family and share our stories. We have to stay in. There are to be no more actions there until we are able to have our own engineers inspect it for safety. This is part of a long term plan to ensure the safety and engineering so it can be opened up again to public use.

We understand people are here to protect the water but we need first to protect ourselves and keep ourselves in prayer. Today we understand there are some people out on the bridge. This creek is named after a medicine man who brought people together and the bridge is close to his ceremony site. We need people to respect this sacred space and strongly urge everyone, from behind this unified front, to please return to your families.

We cannot have people here facing hypothermia.

The youth who started this movement and the elders who support them have instructed us not to take action on the bridge as part of the Veterans mobilization on these 1851 treaty lands. We ask you to respect the wishes of the Oceti Sakowin and not go against their authority.

We invite you to move from a place of action to deep prayer with the people of this land. Thank you for respecting this message.

- Faith Spotted Eagle, respected elder

- JR American Horse and Remy, Indigenous Veterans Council

- Wesley Clark Jr, and Michael Wood Jr., Veterans Stand for Standing Rock

- Oceti Sakowin Akicita 

Send a thank you letter to the Standing Rock Sioux and all Water Protectors for providing leadership and holding line against the Dakota Access pipeline.