Today the water protectors have seized the site of an Enbridge Line 3 construction site. They started early in the morning from the basecamp of the Treaty People Gathering.  They were led by indigenous women Winona LaDuke and Tara Houska and joined by celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener. Sources have reported more than 1,000 people in the group. So far, Enbridge says, the protestor have done little to impede the $4 billion project. But I read that in the Washington Post – so the water protectors are indeed having an impact.

If nothing else, they are letting people know the perils of Line 3 and that it can be stopped by President Biden. You can contact him now (202-456-1111) to tell him you support the water protectors and stopping Line 3.

As I write this I’m back in St Paul and watching the brave water protectors in the sweltering heat (90 degrees and sunny) chanting “water is life” as police from several Minnesota counties and cities work to silence and remove the protestors from the Treaty People Gathering in Northern Minnesota. I wish I was there; I’m glad I’m safe. A small team from Women’s March Minnesota was up in Northern MN: myself (Ann Treacy), Teresa Kleinschmidt, Kris Ragozzino and Olivia Pelham. Three of us went to help water protectors prepare for today. Olivia is still there and safe at last reporting. It was a humbling experience.

Treaty People Gathering is a four-day event (June 5-8) that culminates in the nonviolent direct action that is happening today (June 7). The preparation includes setting up camp, painting posters, getting instruction and learning about treaties from indigenous elders. A treaty is a compact between at least two parties. Line 3 violates the treaty rights of Anishinaabe peoples and nations in its path. While the initiative is being led by indigenous leaders, it is not only their responsibility to hold both sides accountable. The treaties being broken in Northern Minnesota impact everyone. So whether your ancestors are indigenous or not, we need to stand up for all sides who are opposed to this breach of treaty. Water is life for all of us.

We have written about Line 3 in the past. Here are some quick reminders:

• Line 3 is a “replacement” pipeline owned by Canadian oil company, Enbridge. But this replacement is a relocation and an expansion into tar sands oil.

• Tar sands oil is a dirty form of oil and a dying industry.

• From 2002 to 2018, Enbridge experienced on average an oil spill every 20 days.

• Line 3 would go through treaty land. The land is beautiful and untouched. Wild rice (Mahnomen) grows in the path of the pipeline. Wild rice, “the food that grows on water,” is sacred to the Anashinaabe.

• Line 3 would cross the Mississippi in two places.

• You may feel removed by distance, but as I walked to Minnehaha Falls today I was reminded that the water flows to all of us.

People came from all over the country to attend the event. We met people from Arizona, New England, Portland, Texas and all corners of Minnesota. We saw all ages from young children to seniors well into their 70s if not beyond. We saw many genders, ethnicities and varying abilities. It’s tempting to think it’s only the young people putting their bodies on the line but that is not the case. Some from all segments were willing to risk getting arrested; others were there in a supportive role.

We learned about the treaties but we also learned about caring for the generations. We learned about respect for the generations that come before us and about planning for the generations that follow. There is great concern about borrowing time from our children and our children’s children with things such as the Enbridge Line 3. That is a lesson for all of us to learn.

The event is still happening. The livestreams have stopped and I worry about our new friends. You can learn more about Line 3. Again, you can contact him now (202-456-1111) to tell him you support the water protectors and stopping Line 3.