Episcopal Church reiterates support for Standing Rock; urges March on March 10

The Episcopal Church has been advocating with the Sioux Nation against the Dakota Access Pipeline since last summer. Local Episcopalians have also provided a ministry of presence in and around Cannon Ball, North Dakota, including in Oceti Sakowin Camp. The Episcopal flag flew constantly there until the recent effort to close down the camp because of the dangerous winter weather and the fear of disastrous flooding in the spring.
Photo: John Floberg via Facebook

From the Episcopal News Service's Mary Frances Shoenberg:

"The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council during the last day of its Feb. 5-8 meeting here reaffirmed its stand with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.
Council members said the church pledges to “continue to support the action and leadership of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation as the salt and light of the nation in its unwavering support of the sacredness of water, land, and other resources and reminding us all of the sacred calling to faithfulness.”
They praised the Episcopal Church and its ecumenical partners in the water protection actions led by the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. The Rev. John Floberg, council member and priest-in-charge of Episcopal congregations on the North Dakota side of Standing Rock, drew council’s specific praise, as did “the hundreds of Episcopal lay and clergy who responded to his call for support.”
Council also endorsed the Standing Rock Sioux Nation’s call for a March 10 march on Washington, D.C. The resolution said the march was “for the purpose of proclaiming the continuing concern for our sacred waters and lands as well as challenging our government to fulfill all relevant treaty obligations of the United States to all federally recognized tribes.” The tribe had previously started organizing the march, which Floberg had called on Episcopalians to join.
The Episcopal Church has advocated with the Sioux Nation about the Dakota Access Pipeline since summer 2016. Local Episcopalians have also provided a ministry of presence in and around Cannon Ball, North Dakota, the focal point for groups of water protectors that gathered near the proposed crossing...."

Read the entire thing here.



Links for more information:
Executive Church Council Reaffirms Stand With Standing Rock, from the Episcopal News Service
Information on the March 10 March in Washington on Facebook
The Youth Group That Started the Movement, from the NY Times
In the Bleak Midwinter, Standing Rock Episcopal Ministry is Changing, from the Episcopal News Service