Rev. John Edgerton to stand in solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Nation

On Tuesday, November 1, 2016, I began my travels to North Dakota as part of an ecumenical delegation of over 300 clergy. The Episcopal Church in Standing Rock, through its diocesan authorities, put out a nationwide call for clergy to come to serve as protective witnesses for the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in their ongoing non-violent resistance to the construction of an oil pipeline beside their reservation. On Thursday, the clergy delegation will partner with the local leaders in a day of action that will be peaceful, prayerful, lawful, and non-violent.

I made the decision to go quickly, but not lightly.

I am doing this for a number of reasons. First among them is the violence that has been visited upon the Sioux, who are trying to protect themselves from something they see as an existential threat. The Dakota Access Pipeline was, originally, supposed to go past Bismarck, North Dakota. After local objections from Bismarck residents about the risk involved in a pipeline so close to them, the pipeline route was changed to its current route. The new route cuts close to the Standing Rock Sioux, and they are concerned about the risk it poses to them. And yet, unlike the residents of Bismarck, the Sioux are not having their concerns taken seriously. Rather than having their concerns be met with accommodations, they are met with violent and heavy-handed repression.

It's not right.

I do not pretend to be an expert on issues of tribal relations in the Dakotas, climate justice, or the history and culture of Native Americans. Rather, I am going to North Dakota in order to learn.

This brings me to the second reason why I am going to Standing Rock – because the Church there has asked for support from the wider church. In the covenant of membership we read at Old South Church, we agree to walk together in faith in the wider church of which Old South is a part. Put another way, as Rev. Nancy Taylor often says of baptism, for Christians water is thicker than blood. The bonds of covenant – through baptism – make of us one united body of Christians with the church in Standing Rock North Dakota.

I am proud to say that the Christian Service and Outreach Committee is supportive of this decision, as are Revs. Nancy Taylor and Anthony Livolsi and my wife.

So how about we make a deal? Please hold me and everyone else in Standing Rock in your prayers –visiting clergy, native peoples, and law enforcement alike – that there might be peace and justice and that God might make a way out of no-way. If you do, I promise I will share what I learn when I return.

Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this as a representative of Old South Church, I will do my best to do you proud.

Blessings,
Rev. John Edgerton
Associate Minister