Representatives of Traditional First Nation’s Women’s Sacred Societies witness respected Elder and Brave Heart Society Grandmother, Faith Spotted Eagle signing the International Treaty to Protect the Sacred from Tar Sands Projects, January 25, 2013 on Ihanktonwan Territories.
The Seventh and Final Article of this International Treaty between Indigenous Sovereign Nations, Treaty Councils, Sacred Socities, Tiospayes( Extended Familes ) of Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) declares:
“ We agree to the mutual, collective, and lawful enforcement of our responsibilities to protect our lands, waters, and air by all means necessary, and if called on to do so, we will exercise our peace and friendship by lawfully defending one another’s lands, waters, air, and sacred sites from the threat of tar sands projects, provided that each signatory Indigenous Nation reserves and does not cede their rights to act independently as the tribal governments see fit to protect their respective tribal interests, further provided that each signatory Indigenous Nation reserves its inherent sovereign right to take whatever governmental action and strategy that its governing body sees fit to best protect and advance tribal interests affected by the pipeline project consistent with the agreements made herein and subject to the laws and available resources of each respective nation.
This Treaty of mutual defense and support is made on the occasion of the 150 year anniversary of the Treaty Between the Pawnee and Yankton Sioux concluded between the Pawnee Nation and the Ihanktonwan Oyate/Yankton Sioux Tribe on January 23rd, 1863, and the parties thereto hereby commemorate the signing of that historic treaty that has endured without violation for 150 years.”