Luther students say they were transformed by Standing Rock protest

Courtney Field (student); Brita Carbonell and Parker Deen (Decorah residents); Rebecka Green and Andre Alvarez (students)

Imagine college students having their Facebook access blocked by authorities, and beginning the day with an hour of prayer. But that is what happened to Luther College students as they recently participated in the Standing Rock Reservation protest related to the planned Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. Three students and two Decorah community members spoke Tuesday night on a panel at Luther College to share their experiences.

While the protest is about many environmental issues related to  pipeline construction and violations against the indigenous people, students mostly spoke of the personal transformations they are experiencing as they come to grips with their own personal sense of white privilege. They said that being in the minority at the reservation and facing the reality that they were part of the white majority culture that  has persisted in marginalizing unheard populations such as the Sioux tribes is something that drives them to action.

Their activities at the protest site included an orientation. In that orientation they were told "if you are not prayerful, then this is not the place for you. You must be able to look at the oppressor in the eye and be able to say that you love them and pray for them." They noted that the limited media coverage does not focus on the spirituality of those protesting. One student said that the pipeline is "an insane violation of religious rights."

Daily activities at the protest site included one hour of songs, prayers and ceremonial practices in the morning. Various tasks involved camp maintenance, working with food and medical needs, and preparation of the site for winter. Evening time included "decolonization" meetings that addressed the issue of those in power marginalizing groups and cultures in a society driven by economic profit.

Participants now  feel their role is to keep the majority society informed of what is happening, particularly since communication at the site is suppressed and that the media has either neglected the issues or been impeded when they try to cover the protests. Media sites such as Democracy Now were suggested as ways to keep informed.  They also emphasized the importance of telling stories, because the continued telling of people's stories eventually begins to take hold. Students spoke of "white guilt" as a real but often dysfunctional response because it can become "me centered" and prevent one from seeing people as people.

About 15 students were in the recent visit to Standing Rock. Community members made a trip earlier this fall, and plan to return this week. The future of the protests remains unclear as authorities are escalating tactics to move the protesters.

A local Facebook page has been created to inform Decorah area residents about the situation.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1939520412941694/