In honor of Indigenous People’s Day, I want to highlight a struggle for survival that’s being undermined in our nation’s media.

In a flourish of cultural celebration, protective rights activists alongside indigenous people all over our nation are gathering to fight for a most essential human right: access to clean water. Weeks ago, in Atlanta, protestors gathered at Piedmont Park in solidarity with prayer songs which concluded in a water circle ceremony.

To join the conversation on Twitter #WaterisLife #NoDAPL #StandingRock

On September 25, I experienced firsthand the anguish of the many people gathered there in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. This structure intended to transport oil, crosses into sacred land belonging to the Standing Rock Sioux natives. A young woman and part native actor/director Victoria Cheyenne organized the rally immediately after seeing her people called to action up north.

Joining her were Tori Kleffman, Daniel and countless other people of indigenous decent ready to stand for a most precious resource to human life: water. Their messages was riddled with local concern for the Chattahoochee, as local natives were among the great few who fought for the recent Chattahoochee restoration. Yet among all the messages at the gathering, one rang clear, after we had all sipped together from that great life source, it reminded us that, water is so taken for granted in our society.

The company constructing the pipeline, Dakota Access LLC, claims that the construction will seek to be culturally sensitive and that it will not contaminate any local waters. The water protectors that oppose the Access are greatly concerned that this is not true, as sacred land has already been converted for the DAPL construction and many other companies also made such claims with other pipeline in our nation’s recent past. They state that their superior infrastructure, that they describe vaguely, will prevent any such spills.

Please take the time out to educate yourself on what is happening at Standing Rock. Yet mostly importantly, this “Columbus Day", take a moment to reflect on the importance of water in your everyday life and thank the water. To donate, show your support , and join the movement in Atlanta, click here.