Raising awareness for effective action

Dear Friends, I’m a big believer in pacing oneself. We’ve got to take time to smell the roses even in the midst of intense struggle. Yet sometimes — often, in all honesty — the demands of fighting for justice require some pretty exhausting days. The First Nation – Farmer Climate Unity March will be a string of such days. But the importance of this march — raising awareness about the historic lawsuit that could stop the flow of oil through the Dakota Access Pipeline — Continue reading →

Mike Wilcox

Donate to Mike here. Why I’m marching:  Climate change is the salient issue of our time. Empirically, it is self-evident as records are being shattered all around the globe for record high temperatures and record-high low temperatures. There are acute water shortages in numerous locations, including India, Cape Town South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and in parts of the United States. We now have raging forest fires almost year-round in the western United States, and extreme weather events have increased in frequency and intensity as well. Continue reading →

Marcher blogs and social media links

Follow the marchers’ experiences while they are on the First Nation – Farmer Climate Unity March! Christine Lehman-Engledow Profile Facebook Christine Lehman-Engledow Christine Nobiss Profile Facebook  Seeding Sovereignty, Christine Nobiss, Indigenous Iowa Instagram @SeedingSovereignty David Houston Profile Facebook David Houston Website Homes4MyPeeps David Thoreson Profile Facebook David Thoreson Twitter @bluewaternews Instagram @DavidThoreson Debbie Griffin Profile Facebook Downtown Disciples Twitter @DTDisciplesDSM Instagram @DTDisciplesDSM Ed Fallon Profile Blog Fallon Forum Talk show The Fallon Forum airs Mondays from 11:00 a.m.-Noon and is available afterward as a podcast. Facebook Ed Fallon, Fallon Forum Continue reading →

Debbie Griffin

Donate to Debbie here. Why I’m marching:  There’s a common bond that develops when we come together to do something like a march. I care about people and the Earth. My faith compels me to march, demanding that I do justice. Oppressive systems, government, many of our laws, and unchecked capitalism prioritizes wealth and particular groups of people over care for the Earth and equity for all people. A march like this can make a positive difference and encourage us to carry on, but it also Continue reading →

David Thoreson

Donate to David here. Why I’m marching:  Further development of fossil fuels will continue to heat up the world and cause dramatic weather events that will endanger future generations. I feel an obligation to do everything that I can to move us in a new direction. About me: Growing up in the Iowa Great Lakes area, I’ve been a long-time water quality advocate. I’m a sailor and a photo-journalist. As the first American sailor to traverse the northwest passage in both directions, I saw up Continue reading →

Akicita Hoksida

Donate to Akicita here. Why I’m marching:  To provide support and security for this important mission. About me: Akicita Hoksida (Manape LaMere) is Dakota, Nakota, and Hocak. He’s also a government representative of the Sioux Nation of Indians and chosen headsmen representing the Mdewakantowan and Ihanktowan bands of the Oceti Sakowin (Sioux Nation). He is also a staff member of the Great Turtle Island Federation to the U.N. Economic and Social Council. His goals are to create diplomatic opportunities that can translate into economic developments Continue reading →

Meet the Marchers

Dear Friends, Just like planet Earth, preparations for the First Nation – Farmer Climate Unity March are heating up. This past weekend, Sarah Spain and Chap Myers scouted the route between Des Moines and Fort Dodge. We’re now closing in on locating the seven campsites we’ll need for the September 1 – 8 march. Also, Sarah and her brother, Sean, are working on improvements to our “Mobile Bathroom” unit — a trailer that hauls both environmentally friendly commodes and solar showers. Besides the trailer’s functional Continue reading →

Jeff Kisling

Donate to Jeff here. Why I’m marching: Climate change has been important to me for most of my life — since I decided to give up owning a car 40 years ago. My first walk for a cause was in 1969. About me: I was born a Quaker and have remained a Quaker all my life. I came of age in the Vietnam War. I did two years of alternative service, training as a respiratory therapist. I liked the work so well I went on to Continue reading →

Kelly Boon

Donate to Kelly here. Why I’m marching: I’ve always said that if you’re going to be in the parade you might as well lead it, because if you’re going to make a difference, you’ve gotta take risks. About me: I believe that what we focus on is what we promote. This March is very important because we will be meeting people in their communities to share food and conversation, and to find common ground in how we can make a difference to bring healing to our planet. Continue reading →

Miriam Kashia

Donate to Miriam here. Why I’m marching: I’m marching because the nations of the world, except this one, agree that we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground. I’m also marching because of the illegal use of eminent domain to build the Dakota Access Pipeline. Oil may be flowing through Iowa, but it ain’t over ’til it’s over, and you don’t lose ’til you quit. We’re not quitting. At age 75, I can march, so I must. About me: After I retired as a Continue reading →