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by Nicole Wines

Standing Rock and the NoDapl protests have called attention worldwide to both the issues of native rights and sovereignty and the destruction and injustices caused by the fossil fuel industry. It has spurred a series of actions around the country and inspired the creation of a number of prayer camps and pipeline protests, including in our own home state of New Jersey.

In the past two months, Raíces EcoCulture has had the opportunity to visit the Split Rock Sweet Water Prayer Camp in Mahwah, NJ several times, bringing supplies, attending a tobacco ceremony and meeting with the sacred fire keepers and members of the Ramapough Lunaape Tribe, including Chief Dwaine Perry. The Split Rock Sweet Water Prayer Camp was started “In Solidarity with Standing Rock & all who resist the black snake worldwide” (Split Rock FB Page), and has also taken up the issues of the Pilgrim & AIM/Spectra Pipelines. We will be posting a series of upcoming articles here on the Raíces Cultural Center blog and also on our new eco resource site GetEcocentric about this topic, but here are some basic details, resources and calls to action.

The keepers of the camp ask that all who are concerned about the environment and ecological issues, and specifically about fossil fuel divestment, show their support and solidarity by reaching out, showing up and getting involved.


Who to Follow

Follow these Facebook and Twitter Accounts for more information directly from the Ramapough Lunaapes and the Split Rock Sweet Water Prayer Camp fire keepers.

Split Rock Sweet Water Prayer Camp
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/splitrockprayercamp/

Ramapough Lunaape
Website: http://www.ramapoughlenapenation.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RamapoughLunaapeNation/?fref=ts
Twitter: @RamapoughNation


Supplies, Donations & Support

For those who want to support, here is a list of supplies being requested and more information on how to help below. This list has been expanded as fire keepers are preparing additional sustainability projects to begin in the spring:

  • Woodchips
  • Pine stick fire starters
  • Juices and fruits high in Vitamin C
  • Ginger & garlic
  • Heavy wool blankets
  • Zero degree sleeping bags
  • Light-weight 20 degree thermals (Men’s medium to large, tops and bottoms)
  • Wool hats/scarves/ponchos
  • Wool socks & slippers
  • Bundles of dry hardwood firewood
  • Bustelo coffee
  • Lamp oil
  • AA batteries
  • Portable phone chargers
  • Heavy duty winter work gloves
  • Razors
  • Essential oils (patchouli, lavender, musk)
  • Large propane tank filled
  • Propane bottles and refills (a Box 12 – palates)
  • Plastic storage containers
  • 1-5 gallon jugs of drinking water
  • Power Strip
  • Long heavy duty extension cord
  • Rain barrels (2 50 or 55 gallon tanks or barrel with spigot)
  • Hoses
  • Solar panels and batteries
  • Wind turbine
  • Gift cards
  • Warm hugs

If you live in Central NJ and have supplies to donate, but cannot make the trip to Mahwah, you can drop them off with Raíces EcoCulture and we will deliver them on one of our trips.  Email raices [at] raicesculturalcenter [dot] org to arrange drop offs.

More on how to help (funds are requested specifically for purchasing a skin for a 22 ft fire retardant teepee):


Recent Media Information

Here is a short media clip that highlights the recent issues being faced at the Split Rock Sweet Water Prayer Camp and a list of links to newspaper articles.

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