This Sikh Woman is Honoring the Standing Rock Victory by Continuing to Campaign: An interview flowing from California to North Dakota to Punjab.

While others shared celebratory posts of Sundays news of pause on work on the oil pipeline at Standing Rock ; and Sikhs marked the anniversary of their Ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadurs, famed martyrdomfor the freedom of religious practice for a group of non-Sikhs; Navkiran Kaur, Navi to friends, circulated her campaign to fundraise support for a friend who remains at Standing Rock despite arrests and the freezing distance from her California home. Cautious optimism comes easy to 23-year-old Navi who went to Standing Rock last month, drawn by the call of water and roots. Seemed like the perfect person to talk to on a Gurpurab [literally, Gurus-day]. Navkiran insists there are people doing tremendous work, and her contribution has been only very small. Its impact on her own life has been much larger, she admits. That is the beautiful thing about the kind of solidarity Guru Tegh Bahadur exemplified: it isnt about saving anyone so much as it is about defining ourselves and clarifying where we stand on human rights.

Mallika Kaur: Do you remember when and how you first began caring about what was happening in Standing Rock?

Navkiran: Well, first, it was maybe June, I had a good friend going out there at the end of the summer. But for the longest time, there wasnt much news about Standing Rock. Even on the Facebook feeds, Twitter feeds, I didnt see anything. And my network is full of progressive, radical folks! See, I listen to Democracy Now on way to work usually. And it started getting depressing. I started feeling the situation was getting worse and worse. People being shot by rubber bullets. Tear gassed. All over their protection of water! And during this time I also discovered this documentary called Final Assault about Punjabs water

Punjab, on the Indian side, is where your ancestry is from?

Navkiran: Yes, exactly. So I started to draw those connections to the abuse of land and the water, and grave misappropriations of water. My 9 to 5 began feeling more mundane. My friend out there, she was contacting me very regularly, and I found out about her first arrest. And then her second arrest. And then, every day, walking to work, I would just feel, Ahhh, I want to just get into my car and go to Standing Rock right now. At the same time, I didnt, didnt know if that was the best way to help...so I was talking to folks and figuring it out

But wait a second. Your 9 to 5 sounds hardly mundane talk a little about what you do?

Navkiran: Right! I work at Code2040, a nonprofit that supports Black and Latinx college students, preparing them for careers in technologyday to day of course, it means answering email, planning for events, logistics, finances. So sometimes, you start feeling less direct impact. The moments I get one-on-one with students are great. But then again, listening to what our comrades were facing in Standing Rockthat started really getting to me. At some point I started sending money. But I wanted to do more.

Lets get there. But first, what brought you, right out of college, to working with minority communities of color, and very aware of opportunity gaps?

Navkiran: Well, college started with my own struggles, so many questions about identity. So a mentor got me involved with the Student Commission on Racial Equality. Later, I took Black Studies classes. That really opened my eyes to my own identity as a Punjabi woman living in diaspora. What power and privilege mean. I started my process of learning, unlearning. I later began to organize with Students for Justice in Palestine. Again, that brought me to being Punjabi and Sikh. And how colonialism and imperialism has informed that. There was also a lack of my own community at UCSB. But thats a whole other thing. Anyway, so I was involved with so many cultural orgs without having my cultural org, that I became the person who did a lot of solidarity work, a lot of inter-community work, to talk to communities about how their struggles aligned with others.

How did your own community, other brown folks perceive this bridge building?

Navkiran: Ah, it was complicated. It is clear this is the Sikh way. Butculturally...The amount of times I got, But you dont look Punjabi! Or you dont speak Punjabi. That would push me away even more. And I try not to resent anyone. My parents. I would think, wish they put us in Punjabi school, Sunday schools, but that wasnt their choice. They worked on Sundays to earn money for us. And then later, in college, I joined the South Asian organization, and they pushed me aside a bit too for being too political, away from talking about Punjab the way I wanted to. I necessarily learnt to carve out my own space

Yes, and now lets fast forward to Fall 2016. You are involved in education work with students of color in Oakland. And you are hearing and reading about whats happening in North Dakota. What was going on in your head?

Navkiran: Yeah. So my friend there was also part of the peaceful prayer Its important to note that they do not say they are protesting. And they are not protesting. They are protecting water. In response came the arrests, the violence, and more. My friend was taken in twice. Her backpack, all her personal property had been kept. No reasons. No process to get it back.

So you were hearing stories that were making you mad, but that also clearly indicated that there was strong resistance, real tension, and yet, you decided to jump, in. You could have sent donations via Amazon. What compelled you to go?

Navkiran: There was a call for bodies. Indigenous folks were getting arrested. Indigenous women. Indigenous elders. And...though there are so many white allies there, they were not putting themselves on front lines to be arrested I have a full time job

So it was harder stepping away from a job youve had a year out of college?

Navkiran: No, I mean, I have a full time job! I have enough money in the bank so I said I would go and put myself on the front lines. Fortunately, I was not arrested.

So, you first went, set up camp, and then headed out for actions?

Navkiran: Yes, the camping is a whiles from the pipeline

So the photos of the water cannons, cages

Navkiran: Those come from the pipeline actions. Yes, not the camp.

We drove 31 hours, after two friends and I got together in L.A. No stops. We took supplies. A lot of food. Lots of canned goods we took to the main kitchen. And blankets and tarp and sleeping bags we were taking a lot of it for Red Warrior Camp, because that is the direct action camp, within Oceti Sakowin.

Now, talking of food, one thing I want to add though is that this whole area is a food desert. All reservations are like food deserts No grocery store, not even a fast food joint. Just a casino and a gas station. I am talking like not for an hour out.

We got there November 14. The first thing I remember is that it was freezing cold.

Whats the make up, racially?

Navkiran: I saw, actually, a few east Asian women. I came with one Korean woman and one Mexican/ Persian biracial man. But honestly, the camp itself was mostly white. We are talking thousands of people. Majority white or white-passing. And there is a lot going on. Some folks dont treat allies as nicely. Some say all allies must be treated very well. And then there are the white people not doing anything. And those doing amazing work. And there are people who, just like, didnt go to the orientation! There are people being disrespectful to basic Lakota valuesSo its a mix.

Just like the real world.

Navkiran: Yes, definitely. There are definitely people camping out, chilling, not bringing their own foodand Im not clear what the process the camp has to deal with this. It shouldnt fall on the indigenous folks who already have a lot to do.

I learnt and hold on to 3 key points we were told at orientation, the first morning we woke up in camp: Everything is indigenous-centered; We are building a legacy; and You must be of Use.

Given these values, whats the atmosphere at the camp itself?

Navkiran: Hopeful!

Yes, iconic Native American figure, and political prisoner for over four decades, Leonard Peltier, has recently spoken about the sensation of hope creeping back after a long timehe comes from lands not very far away from where you camped

Navkiran: Yes, its definitely hopeful, and that campit is a little bustling town. Kids running around... There is even a school there. There are several kids. I played with like ten, and heard there are 30-40 there. And that is not even counting Sacred Stone camp, I didnt go there.

She pulls out a brown diary and shows some drawing the kids made with her.

Navkiran: Being at camp it just feels like, people have this beautiful community set up actually. Its really really, really nice. Um. People are just likeits so fascinating. People wake up, and its like, O, its another day, just another day at camp! Though one would imagine that people are out there distraught and unhopeful, but that is not the case. There are 6-7 kitchens set up. And there are people winterizing. Building structures to keep people safe, and warm, in this winter. Camp does feel like a bunch of family members, chilling together. And there is a man MCing all day, by the fire. Hearing him in the morning Relatives, its another day to kill the black snake!

And there are plenty of things to do for those not going to actions. I really enjoyed going to and assisting in the communal kitchens. Cooking and serving, thats something Sikhs are taught to do well.

Like in every Sikh gurudwara, every day

Navkiran: I have pretty much grown up known that serving people food is the greatest thing you can do. My mom has instilled that in me. And I love to cook and to feed people. And so yes, that was the one intension I came in with, that I want to cook, provide, or serve people food. And once I got there, I did have to think Ok, I need to let go of all my intentions and expectationsbut yes, the serving people, really harks back to Sikhism for me, and what is really important.

Youve mentioned your Mom. Lets talk about your parents. Did they know you were going to standing rock.

Navkiran: Oh Yea. They tried to stop me so many times. They tried to stop by the day I was going, when I was already in the car!

Laughter. It comes to hear easily.

Navkiran: It was just like they would call and ask Why are you doing this? Taking a week off work? Your Dads been watching news, crazy shit is going on there. You dont know what you are doing.

You clearly had thought about what you were doing. Putting your body in the way. And taking heat of people on the ground.

Navkiran: There were arrests made at the actions I went to, but, I was never one of the persons grabbed or anything. Because they are specifically targeting indigenous people, indigenous women especially it seems like. At one point, we noticed men not standing in front while indigenous women were being harassed by the pigs, so, in the heat of the moment, my friend and I began yelling for the men to take to the front. So, I went there to serve that purpose. To save indigenous women from being protected. Indigenous women are the ones holding prayer circles during these actions, standing on the front lines, yelling out, um. The women are really sustaining this movement.

It sounds heartening and petrifying at the same time!

Navkiran: Yes, exactly. Its all kind of a blur when you are actually standing at an action. But intellectually you know that there are police from all different states I went to 4 different actions. One at the site where they keep the actual equipment to work on the pipeline. And that one escalated the most. Because that was clearly an effort to interrupt work for the dayBut really, we got there late, the trucks had already left for work, so it was just a prayer circle, but then the cops responded to our backs. About 700 people and just as many cops. Rubber bullets, tear gas, they were physically pushing. And then once we all got back into our carswe had to caravan over therethey sped past us, with lights, and then they blocked us from departing. 100-200 cars and police in front and behind.

And then what happened?

Navkiran: Well they were walking by filming people in the cars. And they were looking for specific people. They were pulling some people out of their cars. And they arrested some people. It was yeah, it was very terrifying. And they are monitoring people...since people are keeping their faces covered, some people say the cops are taking pictures of peoples ears

What about the other actions?

Navkiran: And at the next action, there were pro-pipeline protestors. Like 10-12 of them. Yelling hateful stuff, but our focus was on remaining peaceful, prayerful. So water protectors yelled, I Love You!

Other two actions were at Walls Fargo and then one at the Army Corps of Engineers, which was a national one, with protests coordinated in other cities across the country

And what purpose do these protests serve?

Navkiran: To waste their money, to delay construction. And the more money that has been wasted, the hope is that the investors pull out. Umwith the stopping of construction they have been able to cost them 2 million dollars, per day. That is the purpose.

So this is not reactionary protest?

Navkiran: Actually, Im not a person who gets out at reactionary protests. I am not a fan of them. I think folks should go to them, folks who are so inclinedthere is a purpose to themits a way of letting people know. There are important. But for me personally, they are draining. And I dont think...I am not helpful. I am a big proponent of strategic organizing, in the sense that we proactively organize to create and envision new systems that would better support our communities. So, reactionary protests are not that. They are a way to let of steam; to let people know their anger; to ignite that anger in other people. But there is usually noby the time it finishes, it leaves people looking aroung thinking, Ok, whats next

And Standing Rock is not that

Navkiran: Standing Rock is not that. There is a goal. There is strategy. You know, I am not even told of actions there. No one on camp is told about the action. You trust the action, you follow. They are really smart, they dont tell people what their strategy is. With reason of course. There are informants etcetera, so you just goyou follow.

You know there is always a point. Usually to waste the investors money, the companys money. And that is very significant in a capitalist society

Smart, strategic, against all stereotypes

Navkiran: Yup, all to the contrary. Its peaceful. Its strategic. They are doing incredible work. And I was really honored to have shared a space and learned from these indigenous elders and indigenous women

And you had a larger picture of water and land and Punjab in mind. There are so many issueswhy this one, why now?

Navkiran: If not nowthen when, right? Long pause. Its a really good question. Why water, why now. I really do feel connected to water, to earth, as a life. Water brings life. So do women. And thinking back to where my family is from, Punjab, this land is marked by rivers, by water, and the life that water providesand how its all under extreme and urgent threat. I feel when I think back to when Sikhism first began, from my understanding, my knowledge of what Ive studied, its this idea of living simply. And communally. And farming and having care. Having care for land. Not producing more than we need. And yet, here we live in this capitalist society that is tearing down forestsso people in the U.S. can have more dairy and meat than they needand we are just slowly destroying the very earth that gives us life. My connection to Sikhi, draws me to this fight.

It all came together for me really. We have Black Lives Matter here. And Trump being elected and the promises hes made. And we have Modi over in India wanting to block off the Punjabi rivers from going into West Punjab, and Pakistan. Its all a matter ofif we dont do this now, we wont have anything for our future.

From what I know of Sikhism, from what I have studied, we are here to be of service. To the land too. The land that gave us life. And to other people, other lives. So yea, I just felt like I couldnt go to my 9 to 5 job any more without offering my direct support for Standing Rock. At the basic level, if we dont have our earth, whats the point of everything else?

Did you know much about indigenous rights before? Did you follow with interest what was happening before Standing Rock?

Navkiran: Some. Enough. Look, its pretty simple. As a Punjabi person, I related immediately to this. Weve known persecution on our land. And now too, its happening there. Umm.. Indigenous folks barely exist in this country any more. Numbers dwindled down and then have very little representations We know what its like to fear extinctions.

How do you plan to remain involved?

Navkiran: Look, its not over. I will still be raising money. Still liaising with people on the ground and spreading the word on what is needed have told people to send cash and not necessarily supplies. They can use the cash to get whats immediately needed. And yes, this news about things being halted is heartening. But also, remember, the project could still be approved... the re-route could still be awful... there are a ton of possibilities. There is no time or luxury to sit back and watch.

As I work with other people, as I learn their stories, it helps me connect with and make sense of mine. Also it helps me reflect on how I grew up and why I may have felt disconnected, and it makes sense. And I can stop resenting myself, and turning energy into something more productive. Ive been building bridges with communities for years, and now, more than ever, we need to be united. I really hope to use this experience and knowledge to keep building and be meaningful to solidarity work.