CANNONBALL, N.D. (KFGO) – Standing Rock Sioux tribal members plan to gather Sunday evening at the epicenter of the Dakota Access pipeline protests to show solidarity with Native Hawaiians who oppose the construction of a huge telescope on Mauna Kea.
Sheridan Seaboy-McNeil tells KFGO News that the event “Standing Rock Stands with Mauna Kea” is planned for 7 p.m. at the Cannonball Bridge on North Dakota State Highway 1806.
Seaboy-McNeil says the gathering will include prayers and songs in support of Native Hawaiians who are fighting the $1.6 billion telescope project. At least 34 people, mostly elders, were arrested in the past week in Hawaii as officials tried to start building the telescope again.
Seaboy-McNeil says Native Hawaiians came to North Dakota and stayed for several months during the DAPL protest. She says support from the Native Hawaiians “means a lot” and that now it’s time to show them support as well.
Native Hawaiians consider Mauna Kea sacred land and say that further development in the area would be sacrilegious.