The seriousness of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock seems a long way off from the whimsy of the Mannequin Challenge. But it’s proving a great way to highlight the plight of the protesters, who prefer the term “water protectors.”

Demonstrators at the reservation recently took part in the challenge to raise awareness in a creative, light-hearted way, as they continue their struggle, despite the Army ordering that the DAP no longer go through Standing Rock.

“Whatever it takes to raise awareness that we can do, we will take,” is how one Standing Rock protester who goes by the name “Mad Max” explained it to The Huffington Post.

Max said when he brought up this “little crazy idea” to members of his tribe, it got mixed reactions.

“The elders thought it was crazy, but the youth were into it,” he said.

Filmmaker Matt Sukkar shot the video. Max emphasizes the poses in the video clip above go deeper than just participating in a faddish meme.

“This is how our ancestors want us to resist,” he said. “A medicine man told us our ancestors were mad that we were yelling at the police officers. He said they wanted us to stand like a rock.”