Oyate Wahacanka Woecun

(Shielding the People)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday March 12, 2014 Contact: Gary Dorr, Media Coordinator, Oyate Wahacanka Woecun Email: gfdorr@gmail.com Phone: (605) 747-4255
Ideal SD: On March 11, 2014, the Rosebud Tribal community, Ideal, was identified as part of the effort to support the Rosebud Sioux Tribes first planned Spirit Camp, after several people volunteered to fill the cooking duties and the responsibility of fire keepers. The Ideal Tribal Community hosted a presentation by Paula Antoine of the Tribal Land Office and Gary Dorr. The community learned the basics of the Pipeline design and pertinent facts related to the impact of having a Man Camp of over 1,200 men being constructed next to Colome, SD. Ideal Community sits in the corridor that will be affected by the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. Several

community members told of how the TransCanada representatives had come to the area with promises of new community centers and playgrounds. This exchange was flatly refused by the community. A core group of Oyate Wahacanka Woecun has already selected and visited an area for one of their planned spirit camps just a few miles away from Ideal. The proposed Keystone XL Pipeline will pass through the area where the first spirit camp is planned, and within six miles of the Ideal Community. Some of the concerns from the community are the impact that oil spills from the pipeline will have on the area and the Oglala aquifer, and having a large man camp in the area of this remote tribal housing area. There were concerns for the continued safety of the residents and children in the area with such a drastic population increase. The isolated Ideal tribal community is very near to the planned route of the proposed pipeline so it will become visible to the temporary pipeline work force from the man camps that will be in the area if the pipeline project proceeds with construction efforts. Oyate Wahacanka Woecuns effort to setup the Spirit Camp has been met with cooperation from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe as well, after a memorandum was issued requesting all departmental and program assistance in constructing the spirit camp. President Cyril Whitey Scott said the Rosebud Sioux Tribe must do everything in our power to safeguard the Oglala Aquifer and protect the water from contamination. There has been a flurry of activity in choosing the land, evaluating the approach into the property, and preparing the ground where the Seven Council Fires tipis will be erected. The Ideal communit ys response to support the camp with cooks and fire keepers will bring the camp that much closer to completion, and sustain it for the long term. Once the Spirit Camp goes up Tribal Councilman Russell Eagle Bear has said it will stay up for the long hau l, indicating the Tribe will have a

presence out in the forefront to stop the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline and its associate infrastructure, such as new power lines, from being completed. In addition the Oyate Wahacanka Woecun will host a spirit camp orientation meeting March 14-15 at the University multi-purpose building from 9am-5pm each day. Administrative leave has been approved for employees who attend the meeting. The effort continues to meet with more cooperation. The people of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Tribe are preparing to stand the line to prevent the Keystone XL Pipeline from encroaching upon their sacred grounds.