Alex Darocy Photography

On March 23, Idle No More supporters gathered for prayers, songs, speeches, and round dances in front of the Federal Building in San Francisco as part of the "Next Step to Stop Keystone XL." Wicahpiluta Candelaria, a Rumsen Ohlone cultural presenter, sang and gave the opening prayer.  Speakers included Pennie Opal Plant, Norman "Wounded Knee" DeOcampo, and Paul Flores, who all picked up on the theme of "water" and its relation to The Keystone XL pipeline.  Following the round dances, community members joined together for a singing of the American Indian Movement anthem.  Shortly after the Idle No More event, bay area activists gathered in front of the San Francisco Federal Building for nonviolent direct action training in preparation for a yet to be announced action to stop the Keystone XL pipeline. 

On January 26, a statewide rally was held on the north steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento in solidarity with Idle No More demonstrations held worldwide to coincide with the Canadian MPs return to the House of Commons on January 28. Organizers in California hoped the rally would be a time to, "network, educate, and unite as one people." The day featured speakers, California Indian dancers and singers, Aztec/Mexica dancers, and an opening blessings from the local Miwok Nation. A sacred altar placed before the steps of the capitol building was continually maintained by women throughout the rally. Additionally, Sylvia McAdam, one of the four female founders of Idle No More, spoke to the Californian group over a cell phone from London ,  describing Idle No More to the crowd as, "the creative resistance of our people." "We are defending all of our land and all of our water, because our Mother Earth needs that protection and defending,"...

Ann Marie Sayers "We are from here. There are some elders that we have that are from the direct village site that we are discussing today." --Ann Marie Sayers 　 Ann Marie Sayers, who was named the most likely descendant of the 6000 year old remains of the Ohlone child unearthed at the Knoll near Branciforte Creek on August 2, appeared Sunday at an Ohlone speaking event organized by the Save the Knoll Coalition held at Pacific Cultural Center in Santa Cruz. 200 people attended the event, which offered food, arts and crafts for sale, singing and music performances, and featured speakers Tony Cerda, Corrina Gould, Wounded Knee DeOcampo, Henry Dominguez, and Sayers. This was Ann Marie Sayers' most lengthy public discussion of the issues surrounding the burial site that is currently being disturbed by the construction by KB Home, and her comments cleared up some points that many have been curious about. She stated that there are indeed direct descend...