The time thieves: Most of these individuals are charged with misdemeanor trespass charges, but a few are even charged with theft. In this case, stealing time from Enbridge.

The time thieves: Most of these individuals are charged with misdemeanor trespass charges, but a few are even charged with theft. In this case, stealing time from Enbridge.

This month, nearly 300 Line 3 protesters will have court dates in Hubbard County alone. Water protectors face over $3 million in fines, about the same as the state fine to Enbridge for busting a hole in an aquifer and destroying groundwater.

What’s tragic about this story is everything: Christmas in Mankato, Dakota 38+2

What’s tragic about this story is everything: Christmas in Mankato, Dakota 38+2

LaDuke: What’s tragic about this story is everything: Christmas in Mankato

“I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.”

Enbridge, Columbus, and the last tar sands pipeline by Winona LaDuke

Enbridge, Columbus, and the last tar sands pipeline by Winona LaDuke

Approaching this day for uplifting Indigenous peoples, here's a suggestion. It's time to end conquest and begin survival. Code Red for the environment means that we need to move away from fossil fuels and to organic agriculture, and to local and efficient energy. Fortunately, tribal nations are leading the way in the north. It's time to quit acting like Columbus.

Recognizing our interdependence, not independence

Recognizing our interdependence, not independence

"It’s time for interdependence day, not independence day. That’s when we can recognize and value each other. That would be a good evolution for America, and maybe we will all learn to be patriots to the land and care for each other."

LaDuke: Slow down to take in the Creator’s Clock

LaDuke: Slow down to take in the Creator’s Clock

When the crows gather, the maple sap starts to run. Aandeg Biboon (Crow Moon) some call it, or Onaabaanigiizis, the hard-crusted snow moon.

Just before the maple syrup time begins is the Ojibwe New Year. There’s time on the land and time on the clock; those are different. There’s what’s called Indian Time — you are waiting for the sap to run, or the wild rice to finish parching. Then there’s the time that your flight used to leave, or maybe a Zoom call coming your way. That’s a different time.

There’s time on the land, I think of as the Creator’s Clock.

The March 6 Water Protector Defendant Gathering near Palisade Minnesota

The March 6 Water Protector Defendant Gathering near Palisade Minnesota

Arrests in Aitkin County and charges are increasing, but in early March, 70 people were arrested in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, charged with Unlawful Assembly as they gathered to commemorate the largest oil spill in history in a March 3 gathering. The spill was the LaPrairie River Spill of an Enbridge line, in l99l. The spill sent l.7 million gallons of tar sands spewing into the river.