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​Photo by Nicole Sova

Cedarburg Native Stands With Standing Rock

11/17/2016

15 Comments

 
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Cedarburg Native, Alex Kubala, at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota
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Although it has taken many months to gain traction on regular news media outlets, the general public is finally becoming aware of the construction of a massive oil pipeline being built to bring crude oil from North Dakota all the way to Illinois.  The controversial project has stalled where it is supposed to cross the Missouri River, on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where over 100 Native American tribes, along with many supporters, have come together to protect the water, both for their own people, and the millions of people downstream who depend on this water source.  Among the supporters is Cedarburg native and CHS graduate, Alex Kubala, who has been "Standing with Standing Rock" since July at the Oceti Sakowin Camp.

Alex's relationship with the Native tribes began years ago with his interest in herbal medicine, which led him to study with Native healers throughout the US, as well as in Mexico.  "He was even adopted as a nephew into an Anishinaabe tribe in Wausau," said Alex's father, Tom Kubala, of Kubala Washatko Architects in Cedarburg. "He's a remarkable kid."  Tom and his wife, Patty, still reside in the house Alex and his father built on Columbia Road in Cedarburg.

The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL, as it is called) is being built by a company called Energy Transfer Partners, and was originally proposed to go through Bismarck, North Dakota; however, residents of the community did not want the possibility of their water being contaminated; a valid concern, considering there have been 5 massive pipeline leaks or explosions in our country in the past 6 years, and thousands of minor leaks, costing billions in cleanup and untold environmental damage.  Instead, the pipeline was rerouted through the Sioux's treaty land, without the consent of the tribe.  In response, Native tribes and supporters from across the country gathered at the construction site, forming a camp they've named the Sacred Stone Camp, in an attempt to block the construction, and causing friction between pipeline workers and water protectors.  Then, on Thursday, October 27th, a group of around 200 militarized police forced their way into the camp and began to arrest water protectors; Alex was among them.

"I was standing in a prayer circle," explained Alex, "and the police came through the front lines.  They struck me with a baton and pulled me behind their line; hog-tied me, stole my shoes and necklaces, and brought us in."  Alex's hand was broken during the arrest, but he was put in jail without treatment, along with about 140 others who are now facing felony charges of conspiracy to endanger by fire, engaging in a riot, and being a public nuisance.  Thankfully, an anonymous donor paid the bail for all 140 water protectors, and Alex was able to return to the camp.

"We feared something like that might happen," said Tom.  "We didn't hear about it until three days after he was released.  You can imagine how that felt, as his parents, to hear what had happened."

Alex insists that he will remain at the camp until the end.  "They need to be held accountable," Alex said of the police, government, and the company behind the project.  "They're basically acting like a police state.  This is treaty land, and they need to acknowledge that."

Earlier this week, President Obama put a halt to construction in order to give time to review the project, though water protectors fear that Energy Transfer Partners may continue the construction without permission, as they are contractually obligated to complete the pipeline by the end of the year.  The construction delays have cost the company millions, already; should it continue to be delayed into the new year, it is expected that the project will be abandoned.  In the meantime, the Sacred Stone Camp continues to grow, and protests are erupting across the country on a scale that can no longer be ignored.  Standing Rock has become a symbol of Native, environmental, and minority justice. 

Winter is descending on Standing Rock, and the water protectors could use items such as sleeping bags for extreme cold and wool hats, gloves, and blankets; see the Sacred Stone Camp Amazon Wish List for a full listing.  If you would like to make a monetary donation to Alex's camp, click here.

"Alex was a troublemaker when he was young," Tom said.  "He doesn't back down; he never has, but he's a become a very respectful, prayerful, and resourceful person.  I love my son."


15 Comments
Howard Hinterthuer link
11/18/2016 06:54:48 am

Alex is brave. The cause is just. Native tribes are not "disposable people." Pipelines leak. The only question is when? Poisoning our water resources is a crime, whether by accident or by intent.

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Renate Bennett
11/18/2016 07:50:59 am

I'm so proud to know Alex and be part of his extended family. Alex is a brave young man standing up for the rights of Native peoples long denied by the US government. We support you and will continue to do so.

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Elissa Grams
11/18/2016 09:02:23 am

So so so proud of you Alex.....my heart and soul stands with you and others in means of soulful support. Never viewed you as a "trouble maker" from my distance but most definitely would stand your ground,test boundries, and challenge others thoughts and view points.....ALL WHICH MADE YOU INTO THE REMARKABLE YOUNG MAN YOU'VE BECOME!. As a parent, a great lesson for me to learn and embrace everyone's challenges and hold faith that everything happens for a reason!
Love you then, and continue to now and forever!

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Q
11/18/2016 10:44:54 am

This article is incorrect. The DAPL does NOT go into the reservation. It is about .5 miles away from it and planned to go under the river. Check your facts.

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Elena Bretzman
11/18/2016 04:25:22 pm

The pipeline goes through unceded land allotted to the Great Sioux Nation by the Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1851 and 1868. This land (which should not have had to be "given" to them in the first place) was taken by the United States without consent from the Sioux.

The pipeline was originally going to go that close to the city of Bismark and was considered a public safety threat.

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Spencer zogg
11/18/2016 06:12:56 pm

So you think by them running the pipeline under the river it's somehow safer from pollution? Have you seen how many pipeline leaks we've had in the last five years? They have maps you can google, and it's alarming! They all leak eventually and .5 miles away won't have much of a lesser affect on the river , it will still be devastating. And the only reason they aren't currently on reservation land is because they possessed the land through iminant domain and stole it legally, but still stole it

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Alex kubala
11/19/2016 12:30:39 am

Check the treaties 1851, it's Indian land, check the facts

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Angela Rester
11/30/2016 09:33:20 pm

....where it will leak and pollute the water...even underground. Please check your facts. Oct 21 a pipeline by same company leaked in Pennsylvania (55,000 gallons of gasoline). It isn't a matter of if it will leak, rather when!
http://www.ecowatch.com/pipeline-spills-2061960029.html

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Tayyibah Sethi
11/18/2016 12:43:02 pm

In my experience our Ozaukee County residents tend to be rather detached from the abuses and oppression happening within our own community and around the globe. Hopefully this article will raise some awareness among that group.
I thank this young man for his heart and conscience and for doing the right thing.

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Brian Carlson
11/19/2016 03:06:43 am

The Salt March in 1930, Gandhi's famous act of civil disobedience, the freedom march in Selma in 1965, Tiananmen Square in 1989 and the Unknown Protester who stood up against a tank carrying only a shopping bag, all acts displaying the highest human valor and behavior in the face of the lowest forms of the same, are now joined by the Protectors action in Standing Rock, 2016. Alex and others who joined the Protectors, risking serious harm and suffering it, represent, to me, what is most admirable about human beings, that we have the capacity to chose to stand up against tyranny, against repression against great aggression, not armed with the grotesque arms of violence but carrying truth and the single request that human rights be honored. We have this capacity at all times and when a relative few people exercise this capacity, it is a formidable power that has the potential to bring the great engines of violence to a halt. I am proud to know Alex and am glad for him. He is walking with phenomenal people, people of true honor.

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Barbara Joosse
11/19/2016 11:41:09 am

Alex, I'm so proud of you! This is such an important action at a time when all of us are searching for the ways to stand up for the things we believe in. Stand strong!

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Dan Reed
11/19/2016 10:04:08 pm

Stay safe, stay strong, stay love. Peace amoung our brethren.

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Peg Robbins
11/21/2016 06:00:46 pm

Alex I love your spirit and your commitment to this very important cause. Stay safe!

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Terry Pickard
11/25/2016 12:59:42 pm

Do not get lost or distracted by the small details. This isn't just about Native Americans fighting for their rights. This is about elected officials (using our tax dollars) supporting the blatant abuse of human rights, the manipulation of the "legal" process, and the complete disregard for the safety of both the people and the environment that will most certainly be affected by the inevitable failure of this pipeline. The outcome of this conflict will either encourage or discourage the oppression of future protestors of any issue. We know Alex and his family, and they are the most respectable, loving, spiritual people we have the honor of knowing. Alex is a courageous soul deserving of our prayers and any support you can give to him.

Reply
Cathy Smith
11/30/2016 11:07:16 pm

Alex~ prayers for strength, perseverance, wisdom, and peace.
Blessings of hope to you young man.

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