A western Kentucky resident delivering supplies to protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline says the blizzard is making it hard for supporters to safely make the journey, but morale amongst those there is high because ‘they have something to fight for, rather than against.’
North Dakota’s governor has called an evacuation for the ‘health and safety’ of protesters, but says law enforcement should not be blocking roadways for supporters to deliver food, water and clothing to the Standing Rock Reservation, saying it would “be a huge mistake from a humanitarian standpoint.”
Thousands of indigenous residents and supporters from across the U.S. have camped for months to delay completion of an oil pipeline near sacred lands, believing it would contaminate water sources from the Missouri River crossing.
Stephanie Woods arrived with friends at the Oceti Sakowin campsite late Tuesday night with a car full of water, preserved canned foods and blankets.
She says while food and water are in good stock, heavy snow and freezing temperatures are rapidly dwindling supplies of firewood.
"When we showed up, there was so much snow up against the doors of peoples' tents, but I don't think it spurred anyone to leave," said Woods. "They only had one campfire for the whole area we were in. One of the natives told me that they would get shocked when someone else started their own campfire away the big fire, like 'seriously? we're running low on wood and you're trying to start your own fire?' But it did spark a sense of community, so that everyone shares everything."
Some protesters are also dealing with injuries from clashes with police and pipeline security.
“I met one of them who was on the frontlines and had bandages on his face and had been their since June," said Woods. "He was really young and had quit his job. He was the one who told me they always wonder when the supplies are coming, but then it seems to be growing every single day that people are coming and being so generous from all across the country.”
Some of the protesters have camped there since June, but the conditions have only reaffirmed the desire to be there.
"I saw a lot of people that were tired and hungry," said Woods. "Some of them did look not quite your typical American who has enough food in a day. Some of these people looked a little skinny, or worse for wear, like they had been in the fight for too long and are engrossed by the adrenaline of it all.
“They’re really optimistic for it looking so bleak, because you see all the power lines off in the distance of what they’ve already completed, it’s kinda amazing how everybody there seems to keep good spirits and good vibes towards one another," said Woods. "Surprisingly, it’s not tense about so much towards the pipeline, it’s really just vigor for the wellbeing of their water. It’s not so much against something as it is for something. They’re all just wanting clean water and the fact that this is getting in the way of their future is devastating to them.”
Woods’ group is traveling back to Murray today (Thursday) so as not to expend any supplies they had delivered.
She warns that some camps are 50-60 miles cross-country from major roadway or infrastructure, so anyone bringing supplies needs to have a capable 4-wheel drive vehicle to handle the rocky and snow-covered terrain.
