Interviews with Chris Mato Nunpa & Jim Anderson, Coldwater, S. Minneapolis, 9-5-08: video

by dave id

Fri, Sep 5, 2008 7:39PM

The Dakota people reclaimed their sacred ancestral space at Coldwater Spring in South Minneapolis on September 2, 2008, and after a stand-off with police the Dakota were granted a 4-day permit, which they did not request, to perform their sacred ceremonies. Their intention is to permanently claim the land for an indigenous cultural and health center with gardens, buffalo, and a charter school. With an impending police confrontation over the land on Friday, the Dakota held a press conference at their Coldwater Spring camp at 2pm. At 3pm, the permit police issued expired but no police had arrived to expel them as of 6pm. For more information and photos taken September 3rd, see http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/09/05/18533302.php. Chris Mato is interviewed first below, and then Jim Anderson. (Video of the press conference will be posted at a later date.)

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For more information: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/08/3...

§Interview with Jim Anderson, Mendota Dakota

by dave id

Fri, Sep 5, 2008 7:39PM

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§Spiritual Encampment ends peacefully with declaration of victory

by TC-IMC update

Mon, Sep 8, 2008 12:27PM

The Spiritual Encampment down at Coldwater Spring came to an end Saturday, September 6th at 2pm. Members of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) of the Dakota Oyate who had been conducting a four day ceremony declared victory and left peacefully and in prayer ceremonially putting out the sacred fire that had burned for four days. This is the first time that the Authorities that run the Bureau of Mines property that surround Coldwater Spring had granted a permit that allowed members of First Nations to exercise their Freedom of Religion rights at a sacred site and traditional cultural property. This sets an important precident in terms of cultural practice and also for potential legal challenge in the struggle to eventually turn this over to a Learning Center run by First Nations to teach future generations about the cultural importance of this Spring and also the sacredness of water and all life.

For more questions contact Jim Anderson 612 910-0730.

For more information: http://twincities.indymedia.org/2008/sep/i...

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