Vanessa Castle and her horse, Medicine Hat, from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Port Angeles, Washington Photo Credit: Celine Guiout

Jade Begay (Navajo/Tesuque Pueblo) Photo Credit: Terray Sylvester

Faith Spotted Eagle and her daughter, Brook, from the Yankton Sioux (Ihanktonwan Dakota Oyate) tribe in Yanktown Reservation, South Dakota Photo Credit: Celine Guiout

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard (Lakota Sioux) Founder, Sacred Stone Camp



Tara Houska (Ojibwe, Couchiching First Nation of International Falls, Minnesota)—national campaigns director of Honor the Earth



Winona Kasto (Cheyenne River Sioux)—cook at Oceti Sakowin Camp

Emily Arasim





Leanne Guy (Diné, from Navajo, New Mexico)—executive director of the Southwest Indigenous Women's Coalition Emily Arasim





Deezbaa O'Hare (Diné, Irish/Swedish residing in Oakland, California)







Lauren Howland (Jicarilla Apache of Dulce, New Mexico)—International Indigenous Youth council member Emily Arasim









Women are leading the way at Standing Rock to protect the waters of North Dakota, and bringing forth a global indigenous spiritual movement, which honors the integral health and respect of the Earth and people.Sacred Stones Camp was begun by women, as a prayer.” – Elders & leaders of Sacred Stones CampA group of Lakota Sioux women from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, including La Donna Bravebull Allard, established the Sacred Stones Camp in April by the Cannonball River in North Dakota to protest the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline through their land and water supply.The crude oil pipeline is being built through sacred lands, burial grounds,and medicine harvesting sites, and is a continuation of the abuse of human rights, treaties, and nature.One of the most beautiful things I feel right now, is that you see these amazing, empowered women who are stepping up and really reminding us young men, and men in general, that our role is to let the women lead, and yet, we’re their protectors and we stand side-by-side, but the women are supposed to lead with their hearts.” – Nahko Bear, speaking about Winona LaDuke and Indigenous women leaders at Standing RockThe strength of the women supporting this movement is inspirational. They are honoring and bringing awareness to how protection of the waters is intrinsically connected to the protection of our food, herbs, women’s wisdom, birthing wisdom, children, communities, earth, and sustainable living.