Dear Editor
Dec. 1, I had the opportunity to attend a fundraising benefit concert, Rock for Standing Rock, which was presented by eight concerned citizens with the name Water Is Life: Treaty 6 - The Battlefords and held at the basement of the Legion Hall on 100th Street in North Battleford.
The event had been attended by close to 200 people and raised $2,098.70 in donations collected through admission and a silent auction of donated itmes. The funds will be deposited into the Oceti Sakowin Camp's PayPal account to help with occupants of the camp survive the winter months.
Several local bands such as the Reckless Famous, Blue Spirits and Ralphie Ralph as well as numerous performers of poetry and rap music all gave generously their time and energy. Birgit Lessing of Battleford was invited to speak on behalf of her friend who was in Standing Rock and had been arrested, charged with felonies while participating in a prayer circle. Lessing shared accounts of how her friend (and others) were treated while being detained. I will not go into detail, but will say the treatment was inhumane.
A hot meal was served consisting of chili and bannock, moose stew, vegetables and fruit, all of which were brought in potluck style. Videos of and from Standing Rock were projected on a wall while everyone enjoyed food and the friendly atmosphere. The silent auction continued throughout the evening.
The gathering gave an opportunity for everyone to come together in peace and unity for the greater good, showing solidarity, because, in fact, we experienced our own oil spill four months ago, the same kind of spill Standing Rock is trying to avoid.
Not everyone can make it to Standing Rock, N.D., so we thought holding a fundraiser benefit concert was the next best thing to show the world that, yes, we do care, yes, we are listening and, yes, we can do something.
Thank you to my comrades and to Standing Rock, Oceti Sakowin Camp for showing us how to stand up, to stand peacefully in solidarity with all humanity, and for shining light in the collective consciousness.
It is my hope that in the future we will see more citizens attending to show support for the greater good.
Water is life.
Lori Nicotine
North Battleford
