Roots Camp No KXL!
"For over 10 years thousands & thousands of prayers have been said to protect the Earth from the KeystoneXL Crude Oil Pipeline..
We are the answer to those Prayers."
Oscar High Elk
About Roots Camp
Roots Camp was established as a peaceful prayer resistance camp in November 2020 in opposition to the unlawful construction of the KXL pipeline on Oceti Sakowin land, within the boundaries of the Cheyenne River Reservation. The founders of Roots Camp were water protectors from 2 Kettles Camp during resistance to DAPL at Standing Rock. There was a presence at Roots camp until Spring 2021.
Presently, the land on which Roots camp stood is recognized for its historical significance as “Chief Spotted Elk Trail,” as it occupies land along the path that Spotted Elk (brother of Chief Sitting Bull) took as he led hundreds of Lakota off the reservation in December 1890 in an attempt to escape the violence of the U.S. Calvary, culminating in the Wounded Knee Massacre on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Rootz Camp residents and their long-time Cheyenne River and Standing Rock crew of protectors have continued to support ongoing struggles for water, land and air - participating in resistance against the Line 3 pipeline on Anishinaabe treaty land during Summer 2021. In October 2022, they played key leadership roles in planning and leading the week-long actions during the “People vs. Fossil Fuels” convergence on on Washington D.C.
Words from Water Protector Oscar HighElk after he was released from the HAAKON County jail on January 6, 2021. They were holding him on a $10,000 bail targeting him as a political prisoner for Peacefully standing to protect his homelands for the Future Generations to come.
For more, see: Two Native Americans Arrested Over KeystoneXL Protests:
"Though plenty of white Trump supporters who terrorized the Capitol face little consequence, Jasilyn Charger and Oscar High Elk are charged for nonviolently resisting oil pipeline construction in South Dakota."
Why was Rootz Camp Necessary?
******The following talking points were used while Rootz Camp (and KXL) were still active:******
TransCanada was court ordered to STOP Construction on the Keystone XL (KXL) Oil Pipeline... but they are actively Constructing Mancamps & Pipeyards right now during the pandemic.
TransCanada is lacking Key Permits to complete the project.
Tribal Nations, including the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe have been fighting against this pipeline for over 10 years and have filed many Objections/Resolutions to the Secretary of Interior. The pipeline was previously cancelled, but was brought back to life when Trump signed executive orders for the DAPL & KXL Pipelines.
TransCanada or "TCEnergy" is a foreign for-profit oil corporation that is attempting to build a 1600 mile expansion oil pipeline to transport TarSands/Crude Oil from Canada to the gulf coast to be shipped overseas for profit.
Keystone XL will carve its way through Saskatchewan, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Texas.. threatening land and water sources of the surrounding communities including the Cheyenne River, the Oglala Aquifer, the Carrizo Wilcox Aquifer and many more.
Many surrounding water sources have already been contaminated with toxic poisons, including uranium from gold mining.
The existing Keystone Pipeline has already leaked over 14 times since 2010 including two major leaks in 2017 & 2019 totaling about 800,000 gallons of oil spilled.
Oil spills are impossible to clean up and toxins can contaminate the Earth & water for Hundreds of Years!
The KXL Pipeline violates Peace Treaties signed with Native Nations and threatens agricultural land/water used by ranchers & farmers.
KEYSTONE-XL is NOT in the best interest of our Country or Unci Maka, Grandmother Earth.
Native Americans believe we have a duty to protect the Earth, Land & Water for the Future Generations to come.
Honor the Treaties, Honor the Earth
#NoKXL!
Contact
For questions, contact 605-218-1514 or email 2kettlescamp@gmail.com
Four Corners Bridge
Haakon County, South Dakota, and Ziebach County, South Dakota