Diana Crow-Wheel

I am mother, visual artist and teacher that lives in the Rocky mountains of Colorado and have

taught inner city children on the outrskirts of New York city. I am from the east.

September 3, 2106 was a turning point in my life after witnessing dogs attacking the people who were fighting for their clean water that was being compromised by an oil pipeline. This was Standing Rock,North Dakota. After 6 months , 6000 miles of travel,journalizing,pray and direct action I was asked to write a childrens book. I humbly accepted.

After witness to multiple Constitutional violations (journalists being arrested),Treaty land ignorance(Fort Laramie Treaty) ,corporate greed for oil being exported outside the country, and over militarization. This was largest gathering of indigineous nations and their allies in history. Over 440 water protectors were arrested. This was a fight to stop genocide of the Indian nations,corporate greed, destruction of the Earth, restoration of Treaty rights,sustainability,and a walk away from our dependence on fossil fuels. This was the largest war on American soil to stop an oil pipeline. This was a war for future generations.

This is to be recorded in history so that the future generations know the sacrifices of the water protectors. The indigineous people are connected to the land, they know the land and feel responsible to protect it. This war was for the childrenand to protect their water and to stop the black snake! My goal is to have a copy in every library. This book will be translated in Spanish and Lakota. .

Mni Wiconi (Water is Life) Diana Crow-Wheel, Divide, Colorado 2017