Mike from Arkansas, Judy from New York and Judi from Illinois ask: As Americans, is there anything that we can do to get this issue resolved for the Lakota people? Should we call our Congressmen? Submit a petition? Is there a direct fund set up for the Lakota tribe and the White Plumes? And how can we donate money to support them? I think the fact that growing hemp is illegal is an outrage and want to do everything I can to help!
Suree Towfighnia and Courtney Hermann: Hi Mike from Arkansas and Judy from New York. Thanks for your questions.
Regarding contacting your Congressional representatives:
You can ask them to support the 2007 Hemp Farming Act.
To read the bill, go to our website for "Standing Silent Nation".
Then there's a link to the Vote Hemp's website, where you can quickly and easily compose a letter to your Congressperson about the bill at.
Additionally, in your text, it would be important to include a strong assertion that the Lakota of Pine Ridge Reservation have already passed their own tribal ordinance regarding the cultivation of industrial hemp, but that the federal government has failed in its obligation to honor the sovereignty of the Lakota nation by trumping this tribal ordinance and effectively shutting down all hemp cultivation on the reservation.
Regarding direct support of the White Plumes:
You can directly support the White Plumes' efforts by making a donation to them on our website for "Standing Silent Nation".
Also, read more about all of the White Plumes' activist work, including their hemp struggle, at the website of their organization, Owe Aku.
Other simple ways to help:
- Spread the word about hemp and the Lakota struggles to friends, family, and coworkers. Start up a discussion about the issues.
- Host a screening of the film for your community. Please contact info@prairiedustfilms.com and use "Host a screening" as the subject line. We can send you a guide to help you facilitate a successful screening.
Erin from California asks: I watched your film last night and was extremely moved, angered, and saddened. I wished to write and acknowledge your powerful and pertinent film. What are the next steps for the White Plume family and for the Lakota in general? All I kept thinking was "What can I do?" and "How can I help?" Please advise me about which organizations I can work with to change the situation. Thank you again for your efforts.
Towfighnia and Hermann: Thank you for your email. Please see the answer to the question above to find out how you can help the White Plumes directly.
If you would like to donate to the Lakota in general, here are some places where you can help:
The Lakota Fund for Economic Empowerment
Kili Radio and the Porcupine Health Clinic
Regarding the next steps for the White Plume family, (to paraphrase Alex White Plume):
The White Plumes have scheduled a meeting july 13th with their lawyer, Bruce Ellison, to discuss whether they can continue with their hemp struggle through the Supreme Court, or go the route of getting a bill drafted to Congress. However, there are no funds currently available to do either.
In the meantime, the bank has been asking for payments on Alex's outstanding loan. He is taking inventory to sell out his ranch and was originally looking to do it in September, but decided not to "prolong the agony," so he is scheduling it for the last week in August.
Alex believes that he still has the energy to start over and try again to build up his ranch.
"We will survive. We have always survived. We're Lakota. We will survive this as well." -Alex White Plume
Carla from Rhode Island asks: How can this issue of legalizing industrial hemp be presented to the attention of people who are concerned about global warming? I think the two issues are a natural fit with each other, because of hemp's possibilities as fuel. Do you agree?
Towfighnia and Hermann: Hi Carla from Rhode Island. Thanks for your question.
Yes, we agree that as people are becoming more aware of the global warming crisis, they are seeking solutions to the problem, which would include the cultivation of hemp for fuel, paper, biodegradable plastics and other green-friendly products.
The science and statistics regarding the environmental benefits/friendliness of using hemp for fuel, paper and plastics are remarkable.
To read about the benefits of using hemp to produce biodiesel fuel, visit the Hemphasis website.
To read about the benefits of using hemp to produce paper, pulp, read the article presented at the 5th National Symposium on New Crops and New Uses: Strengths in Diversity.
You can read an article about the benefits of using hemp to produce biodegradable plastics at the Hemp Plastics website.
Ron from Nevada asks: I had the pleasure of seeing "Standing Silent Nation," and I was wondering if it would be possible to correspond with Alex White Plume and his family. Congratulations on an absorbing and enlightening film!
Towfighnia and Hermann: Hi Ron from Nevada. Thanks for your question.
To read more about the White Plumes' activist work, and to find their contact information, visit the Owe Aku website .
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