By Matt Chrystal
Howdy, folks.
If you are unfamiliar with what's happening right here and now with the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) or why there is a need to have a benefit to Stand with Standing Rock, then I implore you to please check out the nine minute film Mni Wiconi: The Stand at Standing Rock by filmmaker Lucian Read which acts as a primer to the conflict and players at Standing Rock.
Usually, before each of my interviews, I try to write some cutesy opening statement or provide some rambling commentary about what makes the subject matter relevant to my interests and hopefully relatable to the interests of the reader... But, to be honest, I don't feel in a cutesy mood after everything I have read about the Dakota Access Pipeline. I don't feel in a cutesy mood after all the injustices I have seen happening to the Sioux and other indigenous people who are protesting the pipeline in North Dakota.
And as far as the subject matter being relative to anyone's interests… I would think there would be some sort of universal understanding that things like concern for your fellow humans, having access to clean water, and safety from harm would be relatable to everyone's interests. I mean, wasn't there something written somewhere about "certain unalienable rights"… maybe?
The Standing Rock Benefit Concert is happening TONIGHT, 11/28, at The Saint in Asbury Park. The event aims to raise awareness, funds, and supplies to aid the water protectors of Standing Rock and to stop further construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Matt C. Brown of Homeless Apians / Sunlab Studios has built a solar powered charging station and will transport it, along with other needed supplies (wool blankets, portable stoves), to Standing Rock with Alan Smith of the Porchistas in early December.
As stated on the event page, a solar powered charging station is a powerful and sustainable device to charge cell phones and laptops. This will give the people of Standing Rock access to life support, such as emergency medical services, will allow access to their family and friends, will increase their visibility on social media, and will allow the collection of necessary supplies and gatherings of people.
I recently caught up with Mr. Brown to find out more about how tonight's event came together and to find out how people can get involved.
CoolMattyC: What about this particular cause called to you to take action?
Matthew C. Brown: A victory by the Water Protectors over the DAPL would be a victory for indigenous rights, human rights, a victory for the effectiveness of peaceful protest, even in the face of police brutality, and a huge push toward abandoning fossil fuels and switching to sustainable energy sources. It's the perfect opportunity to help a divided nation find common ground. We ALL rely on water to live. If we can't convince our government to protect our nation's fresh water sources, then we've lost much more than a conflict in North Dakota.
CMC: Is building a solar powered charging station something you normally do?
MCB: That's what we do at Sun Lab Studio! Although we aren't building them regularly, we are utilizing our homemade solar stations to record music and to teach local public school children about the benefits of solar and DIY creativity on a regular basis.
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| Matthew C. Brown |
MCB: We approached The Saint first because of their involvement with the Bernie Sanders campaign earlier in the year. They were generous in providing space for more than one Bus for Progress event this past summer, and we felt that our cause would resonate with them.
CMC: As soon as the event was posted on social media, several musicians immediately posted to volunteer to perform, how did you decide on the lineup for the show?
MCB: The idea to have a show was sparked within the week before the actual show date. It was a last minute scramble to find acts once the venue had been locked in. Fortunately, I have friends in the Asbury music community who have already spoken out against the DAPL publicly so they were first to be contacted.
CMC: You stated that you will be documenting your journey on social media. Where can people go to keep up with you?
MCB: The details are still being worked out but as of now. Alan and I will be posting from my personal Facebook page. We may be collaborating with the Bus For Progress Facebook page, and there may be intermittent posts from the Porchistas page, the Homeless Apians page, and of course, Sun Lab Studio. Further details TBA.
CMC: Has the recent announcement that the Army Corps of Engineers will be evicting people from the protest site on Dec 5th and redirecting them to a designated “peaceful protest area" had any effect on your plans?
MCB: It has yet to affect our plans. These supplies will aid the indigenous people in this lengthy battle whether it is fought from the North Camp, or from back on the reservation.
CMC: For people that want to help but can't afford to purchase and donate portable stoves, etc… Do you have any suggestions as to how they can get involved?
MCB: The benefit show was my way of making this less about Alan and me, and more about providing the entire Asbury Park community with the means to provide aid. We're hoping the $10 donation at the door is a reasonable amount to contribute. If you cannot attend the show, please visit www.sacredstonecamp.org to donate directly. Every dollar counts.
CMC: As with anything these days, it’s an unfortunate fact that scammers have already been exposed for setting up unofficial sites to solicit funds... Do you have any specific sites you can recommend where people can go for information or to make donations?
MCB: The one site I keep referring people to is the official Sacred Stone Camp's website at www.sacredstonecamp.org. It is THE most direct way to contact Standing Rock officials on the front lines. It's with the contact information found there that I received all of my information and confirmed that this was even a welcomed trip. If potential donors are not comfortable with donating to me via PayPal at mattbrown.rickmo@gmail.com, or cannot make it to the Saint show, then donating directly to the camp is a great alternative.
CMC: Is there anything that you would personally like to add to this or additional info that you feel people should know about you, the event or what's happening in Standing Rock?
MCB: For anyone hoping to see action-packed videos of us on the front lines, prepare for disappointment. Our role at the camp will be whatever the camp officials assign us to. If that means locking arms in peaceful prayer at the front line, then that's where we will be, praying that no more violence takes place. If, instead, it means chopping wood or cooking meals at the camp all day, then that's what we'll be posting.
After speaking with Mr. Brown, I asked him for a recommendation as to which performer I might want to reach out to about their involvement in the benefit. He referred me to Kiannah Jones, the founder of the Asbury Park Unity Coalition, who will be performing traditional Cherokee music (Tsalagi) at the benefit concert.
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| The AP Unity Coalition organized a Unity March on 11/20 in Asbury Park. (Hey, Allyson!!!) Photo via AP Unity Coalition Facebook Page |
Kiannah Jones: I became involved with this event when Kate Triggiano (event organizer) reached out to me and asked for the support of the AP Unity Coalition. I have attended events that were led by Kate and they have always been extremely well done, so I was more than happy to get on board.
CMC: What does it mean to you to be involved in the event?
KJ: Being involved in this event means a lot to me because as a person with American Indian heritage, I am extremely saddened to see the continued mistreatment of indigenous people in this country. The Internet has given a voice to people whose issues have been historically ignored and has shed a light on what has been happening to American Indians for centuries. Being able to witness how people have come together for this event via the Internet gives me hope for my Dakota brothers and Sisters, as well as all indigenous people.
CMC: You will be performing traditional Cherokee music at the Saint. This sounds not only amazing but also unique, something that is not often advertised. Can you talk about the music you will be performing, and where else do you perform this type of music?
KJ: While I am a musician and have played in different bands over the past few years, this will be the first time singing Tsalagi music on stage. The songs that my sisters and I are singing at the event are aspects of our culture taught to us by our father. We are beyond excited to share something so dear to us, for a cause that is also very dear to us. These songs can be compared to gospel or other kinds of worship music. We sing to give thanks, to honor, and to celebrate.
CMC: You are the founder of the Asbury Park Unity Coalition. I think it's pretty evident that unity is something that needs to be pushed to the forefront now more than ever, so can you tell us about the Coalition and where to go for more info?
KJ: The AP Unity Coalition is a grassroots organization that was founded on November 9th, the day after the election. Our goal is to bring together different communities who have been historically oppressed or divided. Demagogues, oppressors, and dictators can only thrive in a divisive and polarized society. Essentially, we wish to rage against this polarization by bringing different people together to start educating one another on the specific issues to of their communities. We also wish to encourage people to be politically aware and educate themselves on who has control in our government, who their local officials are, and what those officials stand for.
We have a group and a page on Facebook, both titled Asbury Park Unity Coalition, where we will be keeping people updated on what we are doing and how they may get involved.
CMC: Is there anything additional you would like us to know about you, the benefit, or about what's going on at Standing Rock?
KJ: The biggest thing I want people to understand about Standing Rock is that this is not new. The American government has been violating treaties and the human rights of American Indians and other groups of people for centuries. As Americans, we have to know the truth about our history so we may begin to actually move forward!
Standing Rock Benefit Concert will take place at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ
Monday, November 28, 2016, 7:00-11:00pm
Tickets are $10-20 (Additional Donations Appreciated) and a raffle ticket is included with every door donation.
Donations of wool blankets, small portable wood stoves, and hot water thermoses will also be collected at the event.
If you cannot attend, donations to Matt Brown's Paypal account are welcomed: mattbrown.rickmo@gmail.com
Featuring Performances By
TRADITIONAL CHEROKEE MUSIC FEAT. KIANNAH JONES
THE SHADY STREET SHOW BAND
THE ACCIDENTAL SEABIRDS
CRANSTON DEAN
JACKSON PINES
MATT AND CODY OF HOMELESS APIANS
ALAN SMITH OF THE PORCHISTAS
And more TBA!
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