"One of the things I tell people is that Standing Rock was just a seed, and that seed has spread internationally."
Tamakawastewin "Her Good Earth Woman"
Ladonna Brave Bull Allard
Defend the Sacred Alliance
Welcome to our website - in development.
Thank you for your patience
Since 2017, we have been an emerging global alliance made up of 30-plus different community leaders, peacekeepers and activists, spiritual teachers, and people of all ages and many lineages. We are called to contribute to the practice and path of sacred activism, to catalyze regenerative systems change, and to do our part to protect the sanctity of all Life. We are united through prayer, mutual support, culture-to-culture healing, and shared actions. DSA participants come together from different places on earth in a shared inquiry of sacred action, collective listening, and touching the world through the coherence we develop.
We explore how to raise awareness, focused care, and prayer for all life - fields of coherence - through unique ways in our local, regional, ecological, social, political, and spiritual contexts. We support each other as a global family by exchanging experiences and insights, making our learnings available to each other and the world. We continue widening our circle and solidarity through outreach, shared intentions, and trust-building.
Defend the Sacred 2024 Pilgrimage
We have been called urgently to Colombia in solidarity, given the ongoing and relentless threats to the life of the members of the "Comunidad de Paz" in Antioquia (near the border of Panama), where just a few months ago they suffered the assassination of two of its courageous members, including a child. As for the original peoples of the "Heart of the World" in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta: Arhuacos, Kogis, Wiwa, and Kankuamo, they are on high alert and have called urgent council, in response to the corporate industries' greed, encroaching further into their territory, and their rivers. Both, the Comunidad de Paz and the Arhuacos are calling us in as international witnesses for protection in support of their plea for the protection of all life and harmony with nature. We will listen how to partner and amplify their defense of the sacredness of Life at a spiritual and an action level.
Declaration of Nuwiaka, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Colombia
November 19, 2024
We, the people of the Alliance of Defend the Sacred, have arrived from the five continents to stand in solidarity with the Arhuaca and Kogui communities in the defense of water, rivers and ways of life in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. We call on movements from around the world for the defense of water, and in particular of Colombia, to recognize the right of Guatapurí River to flow in her natural state of purity and to express themselves and act for her protection, so it can continue to give life, health, and sustenance to riverine communities and all beings that are nourished by it.
We are against the dam and creation of Reservoir "Los Besotes", we oppose the mining of mountains, we oppose the deforestation of catchment areas, and the destruction of Arhuaco communities from the proposed project.
We respect the ancient indigenous traditions of the land expressed in Je Zukunsamu, the Water Law, which regulates the guidelines for caring for and maintaining the kunsamu of water. We evoke the Ka'gumu Zukunsamu - Law of the Earth, Kunsamu Geyzey - Law of Fire, Buntikunu Zukunsamu - Air Law, which govern these elements and which are Law of Origin for the four indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo). These traditions have been recognized in the current legal system of the Colombian State, so it should support this struggle, since rivers are the guiding force of nature and transform seeds into forests and human life and nature in all its diversity. By virtue of these laws and the indigenous wisdom of the earth, we make the following statement:
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All rivers have inalienable rights; we declare the Guatapurí River as a living legal being. From the Whanganui River in New Zealand to the 23 rivers in Colombia, all have been recognized with rights, and the Guatapurí River must receive legal protections against pollution, encroachment, and dams.
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Rivers are living beings in spiritual traditions around the world and also provide vital energy to riparian communities; therefore, all riparian communities must have the first right over the waters, since any disruption will cause forced displacement, economic impoverishment, destruction of biodiversity, violence in society, and will steal the right to life of these communities.
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Water is a bearer of peace and a source of prosperity and dignity for civilizations. The health of rivers, humans, biodiversity, and civilizations are intrinsically linked. It is time to reconcile territories, communities, cities, and cultures with the natural water cycle. This is how we understand the path of peace with nature.
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The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a water source of the Colombian Caribbean region and was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1979. The knowledge system of the four indigenous peoples of the Sierra has also been recognized as intangible and cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO since 2022. Therefore, indigenous culture and knowledge to take care of water must be respected by the Colombian State as the basis of territorial planning.
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The Sierra has also been recognized by the scientific community as a unique ecosystem of global biodiversity, so no corporation should be authorized to exploit, deforest or build dams in this region, since any environmentally negative action constitutes ecocide and ecological terrorism.
WE DEMAND
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The immediate suspension of the dam project in the Guatapurí River, along with the suspension of the "Los Besotes" reservoir.
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An independent socioeconomic and environmental assessment, with consultations with riparian communities, to assess economic and environmental impacts, especially in the context of climate change and the impact on biodiversity.
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The Guatapurí River, its basin area and tributaries must be declared a protected area and receive legal rights. A board of directors must be formed with legal powers and representatives of the riverside communities for the care of the river.
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All contracts that make profits from the exploitation of the river ecosystem must be suspended, and a moratorium must be established on all future contracts.
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The rights of riparian communities to fish and subsist must be respected and legally protected.
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A decentralized water management program, driven by the community, must be implemented to ensure the sovereignty of the water of the riparian communities, maintaining consistency with spiritual, cultural, and economic interests of indigenous communities.
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We want the legal recognition of Seykutunumaku (the "Black Line") and all the sacred sites of the indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada.
We support this statement and ask the Colombian government, government officials, embassies, and concerned citizens around the world to support this struggle for the defense of the Guatapurí River, so that the indigenous peoples and other communities of the Sierra Nevada can preserve their dignity and their lives.
Defend the Sacred 2023 Pilgrimage
A prayer for World Water Day 2024, based off our 2023
gathering in India with DSA Member Dr. Rajendra Singh.
Previous Gatherings & Actions
Voices of the Water 2024
WHEN /
March 17th - March 23rd, 2024
ABOUT THE EVENT /
The theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’.
"When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges.
We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life."
--UN
Schedule & Invitations
March 17th-20th
Join the Water Story of India with
Waterman Rajendra Singh
Read the Tarun Bharat Sangh Report
Read the Defend the Sacred India Pilgrimage Report
March 19th/20th
Spring Equinox
Light a Fire, be in the listening with
the message of your changing season.
March 22nd
World Water Day
Share Your Story
Share your Prayers and Actions for peace in your waterways.
March 23nd
Celebrate Community
Learn about the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó
UPDATE:
It is with great sadness and consternation that we share the horrific news, of our dear allies in the Comunidad de Paz, San Jose de Apartado. Edison David - a little boy - and his mother: Nallely Sepulveda, were murdered last week on their land. The community is mourning as they prepare for their 27th anniversary this Saturday, March 23rd. That is why we want to be present for them, support their grief, and celebrate their life and sacred work.
According to Roviro, in charge of their social media, they will try (not always good phone/wifi signal) to share live with us through FB on Saturday, March 23 beginning at 6 am Colombian (4am pst/7am est time)
Share their story on social media & Share Your Story of community
Gather with your community, anywhere and everywhere.
Support places of healing, accountability, and reliance.
This goes to a spreadsheet of all the actions happening around the world.
We are working to post all the events below as well.
March 17th - 20th
Location: India
Watch Water Bandits and learn about The Water Man of India
From Violence to Peace: Experience the peaceful and prosperous results of a region that used to be destitute and violent. Due to water stress and scarcity people had no way to provide for their families. Some migrated, others resorted to violence to survive. Years later these same people turned over their arms and asked for forgiveness, as they were now peaceful farmers.
"People's Peace and Water Summit," a unique event dedicated to showcasing the transformative power of water cycle restoration in regions affected by conflict from water stress and scarcity.
Location: Schurz, Nevada USA
Prayer Horse Ride "Nanesootuhina Pookoo Goobakatudu," w/ Josh Dini
"Reconnecting and Revitalizing Traditional Ways of Life Threatened by Destructive Mining Resource Extractions Supporting "Green Energy"
March 19th - 20th
Location: Ausgangspunkt Bad Vilbel (Frankfurt)
Meditation w/ Harald Reinemer
"Meditation and synchronization towards listening to the voice of healing powers."
March 22nd
World Water Day
Location: Singing Planet
Music Event w/ Singing Planne
Location: Different Power Places from people of all parts of the world
Meditation w/ Marko Pogačnik and Lifenet
Location: Payahuunadü, California
Clean up at Hot Ditch w/ Owens Valley Indian Water Commission
March 23nd
Community Celebration
Location: Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in Colombia
Celebrating 27 years of working toward peace while being surrounded by violence.
Follow and Share their Story on Facebook
Follow and Share their Story on Twitter
Location: Payahuunadü, California
Community Celebration at Three Creeks w/ Three Creeks Collective
Location: Worldwide
Meditation w/ Marko Pogačnik and Lifenet