Andy Humbles

ahumbles@tennessean.com

Area Native Americans and others have become involved in a controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline that has sparked tribal protests and lawsuits, which this weekend’s Mt. Juliet Pow Wow will reference.

“Indian people here feel strongly about it,” said Nashville’s Albert Bender, an American Indian community activist who has gone to protest camps in North Dakota just outside of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation where pipeline is placed.

“It is a huge gathering of Native Americans on both sides of the Cannonball River," Bender said. "There are more than 200 tribes; it’s a sea of teepees, camping fires. There are (local) powwows coming up and I’m sure people will be hungry for information.”

The 35th Annual Mt. Juliet Pow Wow Saturday and Sunday is an annual celebration of Native American culture at Sgt. Jerry Mundy Memorial Park that typically draws 6,000-7,000 for the weekend.

No protest is planned at the pow wow, but information will be handed out, said lead organizer Cindy Yahola.

“I think as a Native American event, we’re discussing our culture and part of our culture is what is going on in Indian Country," Yahola said. "If the water is affected by an oil leak, it affects more than just Native Americans, it affects every live being in this country.”

The $3.8 billion pipeline is being built to carry crude oil from North Dakota oil fields more than 1,100 miles through South Dakota and Iowa leading to an existing pipeline in Illinois where shippers can access Midwest and Gulf Coast markets, according to the Associated Press.

Protests have spread to other parts of the U.S., as Native Americans and others believe the pipeline jeopardizes critical water supplies from the Missouri River and will disturb burial sites and sacred grounds.

Advocates of the pipeline believe it will reduce truck and train oil traffic that has raised concerns because of fiery derailments.

“What is happening in Standing Rock is the largest Native American action event some people are saying has happened in over 100 years,” said Sophie Bjork-James, who has organized a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8, at the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville, 6705 Charlotte Pike, to support the Sacred Stones Camp at Standing Rock.

"It’s brought in tribal representatives from all over the world and I personally want to protect them protecting water and protecting tribal sovereignty,” she said.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe filed a lawsuit trying to stop pipeline construction and a judge did rule a temporary halt to a portion of pipeline construction on Sept. 9 near Lake Oahe where tribal leaders say are sacred artifacts. But the judge did not stop overall construction.

“Transportation of oil and volatile gases is a concern to everybody,” said Chattanooga’s Tom Kunesh, a board member of the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee headquartered in Nashville. Kunesh's late mother was a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

“To site the crossing of that pipe at Standing Rock when they could have gone anywhere north, is blatant environmental racism,” Kunesh said. “I hope when it comes to us we’ll have the same kind of united response …”

Mt. Juliet Pow Wow

Where: Mundy Memorial Park, 300 Mundy Memorial Drive., Mt. Juliet.

When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 24-25 (closing about 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday).

Cost: Adults - $8; Ages 6-12 - $4. 5-under – free.

Featuring

Flute player Ryan Little Eagle

Hoop dancer Lowery Begay

Intertribal dancing

Native American food

Native American Music

More than $11,000 to be awarded for dance contests.

Reach Andy Humbles at 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @AndyHumbles.



