The energy of the full wolf moon took us thru a epic snow storm all the way to Thacker Pass in Goshute, Paiute, Western Shoshone territory. An intense energy coming off the moon daring me to take risks and focus. I came to stop the mine and am feeling that nothing changes unless we apply pressure. After arriving i realized this place is wolf habitat and that they are absent only by their removal from the landscape as they were hunted to extinction by 1953. I must emphasis that the lithium mine and other resource extraction projects are green genocide. Indian removal. The tribes are still being terrorized for their resources. This is an ongoing legacy. While at the camp i used each day as if i was in ceremony. Using specific songs for specific things. It was cold and my feet would freeze. I thought about my grandfather in the Korean war who suffered frostbite on his hands and feet. A golden eagle appeared out of the sky as if it had been summoned by my flute when i played a song. The wolf brothers Cody and Cloud played in the snow. The whole world was Cody’s popcicle. Stay dry, stay clean is the mantra. Food getting cold before you can eat it. Eating tuna out of packets to keep our caloric intake up. I made manoomin wild rice. I wanted to cook Potowatomi food.
Feb. 5 2021 Some hunters came up the hill but are gone now. The desert is a source of food. One can find pieces of obsidian on the ground and i am told that flintnaping happened near hear. Wind is blowing. Trying to stay warm. The stars are bright at night. I miss that about living in the desert. Honor goes to us for making it out here early. I will sing us an honor song. Its is a completely necessary thing to get on board with things before they are popular. To build and shape. To influence. Doing my part. Like John Trudell would say its ” natural energy properly used”. I have made a callout for land defenders to join me. Waiting for that to take shape in reality. Wild habitat. The desert is always looked upon as a wasteland. This is a colonial understanding. The desert is filled with life. Edison Chiloquins name is mentioned and the need to stand with the land and defend it with more than just our words. “I am tired of words that come to nothing”. Chief Joseph. Were all afraid its how we act on it. Be epic. Send warriors, send pipe carriers.
Red Power and Indigenous Rule > Identity politics.
Golden Eagles > lithium mines. Come to pray. Come to stay. Together this mine will never be built. A miles long crater in the ground is not green. Come to
Goshute, Shoshone, Paiute Territory.
Feb. 6 2021. Today I seen 2 eagles flying. Flying with a powerful glide. Snow is melting. We are reading the book Viet Cong In Wounded Knee by Woody Kip a veteran of Wounded Knee 73 and we are almost finished. We are at the part where they take over the B.I.A building. A few new people in camp today. Mud is the obstacle today. Sage and cedar were used. In the book we are reading they spoke about knowing the power of the drum and being in a bond with the drum. I sand the American Indian Movement Song a song that continues to give purpose and inspire unity in resistance. I sang Sundance piercing song. Piercing song like sacrifice in defending the land and the pain of the natural world being destroyed by colonialism. Sundance song for continued strength and endurance. American Indian Religious Freedom Act. 50 years later. Another day on the front lines sitting in between life and the would be ecological crime scene.
Golden Eagles > lithium mines. Wolf habitat. #RedPower > “green energy”.
A.I.M Were Still Here!
Feb. 7. 2021 Campers are hiking and gathering around a fire. Some visit with Cody and Cloud the wolf brothers. I again sing the wolf song. I spoke to Blackfeet Holy Man on the phone. Blackfeet had the largest traditional home range in this side of Turtle Island even larger than the Paiute. I am Blackfeet on my father’s side. The Holy Man reminded me that our spiritual efforts to protect bears and wolves are becoming law in some places. Change? Efforts to appease us? Progress? Crumbs. Were going all the way. Even beyond sovereignty. Decolonization. I am “police” warrior society and we will have to ultimately enforce those Ideals that become law such as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 because nobody else will enforce it. We may have to enforce indigenous law with the war club again one day. Will we get grizzly bears reintroduced into the northern cascades and other places? How wild can we get? Sitting here in what would have been wolf habitat before colonists made them extinct in 1953 watching the sun reflect brilliantly off the side of a mountain. Later I sing a peyote song. Focus. Healing. Waiting for the descendants of Chief Paulina the renegade chief to rise up again. But they were decimated to 38 members. Waiting for root and bannock people. Bison n rice people posted up a little longer. Tobacco is placed on the alter near the golden eagle carving. A.I.M WERE STILL HERE! Golden Eagles > lithium mines. Until we have #RedPower and control over our own destinies on our own land we will have to watch everything we love die.
Feb. 8, 2021. I seen an eagle again. Spent some time shoveling remaining snow to keep the road from getting muddy. 2 people leave. 2 more arrive. Reporters come to interview us for a magazine. It’s good to have firewood. Last night I had a dream about salmon. A biologist is in camp recording wildlife tracks and sightings. Today was quiet. Another day on the front lines. Golden Eagles > lithium mines. A.I.M Were Still Here!
Feb. 9 2021. People leaving and more people came in last night. B.L.M showed up today with guns and body armor acting benevolent while enforcing the their 14 day rule. I told them that “public lands” was code for “white lands” and that his 14 day rule was designed to to keep indigenous people from returning to the land. The officer replied I never see any indigenous people. A clerk at a nearby store when asked about indigenous people also replied “I never see any”. Clearly we are dealing with a society that cannot see indigenous people. A society that claims to be formed on religious freedom enforcing theirs with violence but refuses to this day to respect our freedom of religion as first people. I told him that this is Goshute, Shoshone, Paiute Territory and that it is time to have a nation to nation conversation. I told him I was a member of an ancient warrior society and that I am here to pray. I will leave when I’m done praying and that they cannot interfere. They said “we don’t have to agree”. I know I shouldn’t talk to cops but their untruths stir my warrior spirit. B.L.M is illegitimate. They masquerade as the #RightfulStewards when it is infact only us the indigenous of Turtle Island who have the authority. We struggle to gain control over our own destinies on our own land. Open your mind to seeing not only wolves but indigenous people on the landscape. Undo indian removal. Reverse the curse. #RedPower > green energy. Golden Eagles > lithium mines. American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
Feb. 10, 2021
Today I sang spirit leaving song. I went to a hot spring and soaked after 2 weeks without a shower camping in the snow and mud. Sitting there in 107 degree healing water; the kind you can smell but not sulfer. I looked at the snow covered mountains around me. Marsh plants. Tule or cattails. Seed eating birds that linger here. Hungry, I ate giant burrito. And more burrito. Golden Eagles > lithium mines. #redpower > “green energy”.
Some closing thoughts. I see it advantageous to build traditional shelters and hold ceremonies on the land. I will continue to raise awareness and encourage Paiute, Shoshone, Shopai, Goshute peoples to return to the land and to stick up for their resources. I feel compelled to look into the bullying and threatening of the indigenous peoples in the area. I will look at the indigenous foods in the area. I will continue to support indigenous peoples taking their LandBack. To be continued.
Update: After playing probably the largest role in starting the movement at Thacker Pass i have since distanced myself from it. I do not support white supremacists in the environmental movement. I exposed a sundance leader who was a predator and they replaced him with a woman beater. I have since left Paiute Twilight Zone. Anyone still involved can have my leftovers.
When im done i leave the rest for the crows.
Illahee Spirit Runners 