SGVCC Exhibit 2022 – Fighting the Line 3 Pipeline

FIGHTING THE LINE 3 TAR SANDS PIPELINE 

From Minnesota to San Francisco

2021 was the year that Indigenous Anishinaabe women in Minnesota led a massive struggle to protect the water and stop the completion of the Line 3 tar sands pipeline set to cross pristine watersheds in the northern and central part of the state.  As the icy Mississippi River thawed in the spring, the Anishinaabe “water protectors” put out a call for people across the country to come to Minnesota to stand with them in the fight.  Many from the Bay Area answered the call while many others organized solidarity actions locally to raise awareness and increase the pressure on the Biden administration to stop the pipeline.

As the summer progressed with over 1000 arrests and all challenges to the pipeline failing, a 256 mile Treaty People* Walk for Water set off from the Mississippi headwaters headed to the state capitol in St Paul.  18 days later, thousands joined the walkers for the final miles of the walk into the capital.  The Treaty People Walk for Water called on Minnesota Governor Walz to honor the treaties, respect indigenous sovereignty, protect the water and sacred wild rice lakes, and revoke the permits for the Line 3 tar sands pipeline for the health of the planet and future generations.

While these efforts ultimately failed to stop the pipeline, they succeeded in bringing together thousands of people across the country to join in an indigenous women-led movement to protect future generations.

*The concept of “Treaty People” acknowledges that the treaties signed between Native Peoples and colonial powers are the established law of the land.  Ensuring that these treaties are honored is the duty of the ancestors of both those signing groups.

We are all Treaty People.

“Protect Water, Honor Treaties, Stop Line 3”

May, 2021 – Minnesota Governor’s Mansion, St Paul, Minnesota

Lakota grandmother from South Dakota stands with Anishinaabe grandmothers, Twin Cities grandmothers and dozens of grandmothers from the Bay Area in front of the MN Governor’s mansion to demand that Governor Walz keep his campaign promise and stop the Line 3 tar sands pipeline.

Tipis at the Minnesota State Capitol – Protesting the Line 3 Tar Sands Pipeline

August, 2021 – Tipis await the arrival of thousands of walkers with the Treaty People Walk for Water.  Indigenous Ceremony would be held at these Tipis for 2 days following the arrival of the walkers amidst rising tension with Capital security.

PROTECT Our Water – NO LINE 3

August, 2021 – On the banks of the Mississippi River

Multiple Generations of Anishinaabe Women at Governor’s Mansion 

Stop Line 3

May, 2021 – Grandmothers Rally at Minnesota Governor’s Mansion, St Paul

Winona LaDuke at the Minnesota State Capital

Executive director and co-founder of Honor the Earth, a Native environmental advocacy organization with a central role in the fight to stop the Line 3 pipeline.  (she was also the Green Party vice presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000)

Treaty People Walk for Water – Indigenous Ribbon Skirts 

Starting at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, the indigenous led Treaty People Walk for Water is seen here on Day 15 of an 18 day, 256 mile walk to the Minnesota state capital.

“DEFUND Line 3” – Golden Gate Bridge

March, 2021

Projections at Crissy Field were one of many Bay Area actions organized in solidarity with the indigenous women-led campaign in Minnesota to stop the Line 3 tar sands pipeline.

Large Solidarity Actions in San Francisco

WELLS FARGO: PROTECT FUTURE GENERATIONS – DEFUND LINE 3 & FOSSIL FUELS!

San Francisco Financial District
Wells Fargo World Headquarters
April 9, 2021

Solidarity Action in San Francisco Financial District

April, 2021 – Young Indigenous women paint a section of a giant street mural calling on Wells Fargo to stop funding the Line 3 tar sands pipeline.