This is not my typical post for this collection, but I think this story plays as a perfect example why I began this…

This is not my typical post for this collection, but I think this story plays as a perfect example why I began this collection to begin with – the power of #tech and the tools we increasingly have available, and the methods we’re creating to harness their power in affecting real change as we move into the #future.

Please read this one. This is a big deal.

Originally shared by Wasim Muklashy

We may look back on today as one of the most incredible turning points in the history of this country.

This is a story that has consumed me for the better part of 3 weeks.

For those that are unaware of what has been going on on Sioux reservation in North Dakota, this is incredible and may mark the beginning of a new type of relationship with First Nation Native Americans…one where we actually care about them.

For a quick rundown, this has been the largest Native American protest in U.S. History as an oil company is trying to build a pipeline through sacred Sioux grounds and underneath the Missouri River, threatening not only Sioux Nation water, but everyone’s water supply downriver, to the tune of millions of people.

The story was mostly ignored by the mainstream media, but it refused to disappear thanks to social media and an incredible swell of support from over 200 tribes and a mass influx of American citizens, including celebrities, officials, organizations, a presidential candidate, and the general public as a whole.

Just this last weekend, there was an incident in which private security firms attacked protestors with dogs and pepper spray after they started bulldozing on sacred lands and an arrest warrant for Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been issued as she was there protesting.

The protestor’s efforts managed to stop construction a few weeks ago, and Earthjustice, an environmental organization, filed suit to block the pipeline. They have been awaiting a judge’s decision today on whether or not to let the pipeline continue.

President Obama was asked about his thoughts on the situation just 36 hours ago at an environmental conference, and while he tip-toed and danced around the issue, it was an incredible testament to the power of social media and how we’ve taken this issue from one that would have been ignored 10 years ago, to one that was staring the President of the United States on an international stage…all within 3 weeks.

And here’s where it gets interesting…

The ruling, issued just a few hours ago, was in favor of the oil company. No surprise there.

However, in an ENORMOUS surprise, an hour after this afternoon’s ruling, the Obama administration ordered a temporary halt on the entire project and The Department of Justice, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Interior issued a joint statement that included the following language:

“This case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure projects.”

Additionally, they have vowed to invite tribes to “formal, government-to-government consulations” regarding how to move forward with tribal input.

If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to do some research on this story. Our relationship with the Native Americans has been a one-sided exploitative one for over 2 centuries. It seems something is changing…

We’re watching the dawn of the age of #PeoplePower!

#NoDAPL #StandWithSiouxNation #DakotaAccess #NorthDakota #Obama #oil #water #environment #future #MotherEarth #nature