Michael Naera and his wife, Frances Buckley, at Standing Rock. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Michael Naera and his wife, Frances Buckley, at Standing Rock. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Standing in unity with the indigenous people of Standing Rock was a life-changing experience for a Rotorua couple who decided to go on a whim.
Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust's Michael Naera and his wife, Frances Buckley, were already in America for an indigenous suicide prevention forum when theydecided to go to Standing Rock in North Dakota.
It is there hundreds of Native Americans are peacefully protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, which they believe will put the Missouri River, the water source for the reservation, at risk.
Mr Naera said they spent three days at the site and walked away believing it was the "best decision ever" to go and show indigenous solidarity.
Michael Naera and his wife Frances Buckley at Standing Rock. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
"On the day we had arrived, front-liners were being blasted by water cannons to the point where they were becoming hypothermic. One man was hobbling around after being shot with rubber bullets and another had been maced in the face.
"It was pretty bad on the front line, the police over there are nothing like ours. These are peaceful protesters who are being treated like they are being aggressive. One of their elders was being sprayed with water while doing a traditional song and dance, the water was freezing on his skin but he kept going."
Mr Naera said they did not go to the front line, instead helping around the campsite, about 1km down the road.
"The atmosphere at the campsite was very different to the aggressive, confrontational front line. The spirit in the camp was quite healthy, collaborative. There was a big pot of boil-up on the stove and the guitar came out, Maori have a real spiritual connection with the [indigenous] people."
He said he was glad to have experienced it firsthand.
"It's hard to put into words what it felt like to be there in the flesh. It was life-changing, it was amazing."
Ngati Tuteniu and Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa provided a koha to go towards the trip.
"At a hui it was discussed how good it would be to have Te Arawa support there, but the decision to go was completely out of the blue."
As well as going to Standing Rock, Mr Naera and Ms Buckley went to We Belong, an international forum on life promotion to address indigenous suicide, and were the only international guests at White Shield community chief inauguration.
On Monday at noona karakia for Standing Rock will be held at the Lakefront in support of the Native American people. For more information go to the Karakia for Standing Rock Facebook page.
