As the Trump administration fast tracks dangerous pipelines and new fossil fuel development that puts Indigenous, Black and Brown communities at risk, the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), Protectors of Water and Earth Rights (P.O.W.E.R.), and grassroots activists will host a “toxic tour” and gather for the Third Annual Healing Walk in the heart of the Bakken Oil Formation.
The groups want to increase awareness about the environmental impacts of pipeline toxins and pollution on Indigenous communities and local water resources, especially because the Bakken oil and gas field, which is sourced for the Dakota Access and Bayou Bridge Pipelines, leaks 275,000 tons of methane per year.
“Water responds to prayer and blessing the water is healing so we do this event to bring our communities together in a healing and prayerful way to call for protection of water and of life and bring awareness to the possibility of a just transition away from the fossil fuel industry.”
— Kandi Mossett – Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara“We have been dealing with oil and gas extraction around us for nearly 10 years; our water is the first affected as it is used to flush oil from the veins of Mother Earth. We don’t know all of the effects of fracking on our water, but we can only assume that our water is safe to drink. Water is sacred and sustains all life. We cannot survive without healthy water so we gather annually to pray for the life and health of our water as our grandmothers and grandfathers used to. We know that with extraction, it’s only a matter of time before our only drinking source will be unsafe to drink.” –Lisa DeVille, President of POWER
Just watch this video of Kandi Mossett of the Indigenous Environmental Network speaking about the devastating effects that the oil industry has had in her home located near the oil formation;
Please attend this righteous event.
Details below:
Indigenous And Environmental Justice Groups To Lead Toxic Tour In The Bakken Oil Formation
Toxic tour, healing walk and seminar highlighting environmental impacts of pipeline toxins and pollution on local communities
**August 11-12 New Town, ND**
Friday, August 11:
11am-4pm: “Toxic Tour” of the Bakken Oil Formation. Departing from Little Missouri Inn at 11am sharp.
Saturday, August 12:
9:30am: Water Ceremony and Healing Walk departing from The Point at Four Bears Park in New Town, ND.
3pm: Just Transition Seminar at the Nueta, Hidatsa, Sahnish Community College from 3-5pm
Organized by the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and Protectors of Water and Earth Rights (P.O.W.E.R.)
- Speakers and leaders will include:
- Kandi Mossett, Indigenous Environmental Network
- Lisa DeVille, Protectors of Water and Earth Rights (P.O.W.E.R.)
- Theodora Bird Bear, Protectors of Water and Earth Right (P.O.W.E.R.)
- Tanya Sand, Professor at Nueta, Hidatsa, Sahnish College
- Modern Day Warriors Youth Group
- Pastor Harry Joseph from Saint James Parish “Cancer Alley,” Louisiana.