Author Archives: Jeff Kisling

September 2, 2018. Huxley, Iowa. Day 2 of the First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March. The forum this evening gets to the heart of First Nation-Farmer unity.  Local progressive farmer Lee Tesdell described his work in improving agricultural practices (detailed at the end of this post) which was followed by a good discussion including Native American’sContinue reading “Forum on Agricultural Practices”

We were a bit slow getting started, mainly because of the storm during the night. Most of us were up two or three hours during the most intense parts of the storm. Some people went to the machine shed to sleep. The next morning one person found their tent in the field nearby. I wasContinue reading “Day 2”

We (finally) arrived at our first destination, the farm of Craig and LaVon Griffieon on the north side of Ankeny. When we arrived the tipi had been setup. We setup our tents and prepared for dinner and the evening forum.  Not long after we setup, thunderstorms began. Rain was predicted for every day of the March,Continue reading “First night’s forum at the Griffieon Farm”

Link to original article: http://www.amestrib.com/news/20180823/anti-dapl-protestors-to-march-through-story-boone-counties-next-month Covered by Ames Tribune, Ames, Iowa, August 23, 2018 Excerpt: By Dan Mika, Staff Writer Keith Puntenney. Photo by Dan Mika of Ames Tribune Climate activists announced a march from Des Moines to Fort Dodge next month to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline at Erickson Public Library Thursday morning. The weeklong march,Continue reading “Anti-DAPL protestors to march through Story, Boone counties next month”

WATERLOO — In an attempt to stop the flow of oil through the Dakota Access Pipeline in Iowa, Trisha Etringer, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Nebraska and Cedar Falls resident, will be one of nearly 50 Iowans marching from Des Moines to Fort Dodge, beginning Saturday. The goal is to bring awareness toContinue reading “Cedar Falls woman to join 90-mile march against Dakota Access Pipeline”

Covered by Quad-City Times, Davenport, Iowa, September 3, 2018 Excerpt: DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — About two dozen environmental demonstrators are undertaking a 100-mile march in Iowa to protest the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Regina Tsosie The Des Moines Register reports that they began their eight-day trek Saturday in Des Moines. Advocacy groups Bold Iowa andContinue reading “Protesters begin 100-mile march against Dakota Access”

The First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March began on September 1, 2018. I’m looking back on that now, September 20-21, 2018. I had no idea then how trans-formative the March would be, in many different ways. I think most of us had many questions and concerns about what was about to happen. Most of the peopleContinue reading “The March Begins”

Not having participated on a multi-day walk, I wasn’t aware of how much work and planning was involved. The organizing partners are listed at the end of this post. My impression (and I apologize if I left anyone out) was the main people involved were Ed Fallon, Kathy Byrnes and Shari Hrdina, Bold Iowa, Christine Nobiss, IndigenousContinue reading “The March Support People and Systems”

Before this story finally gets to the March itself, I wanted to try to express some of the ways faith played a role in our journey. I’m sure there were many people, of many faiths who supported us. For example, Gary Clague’s pastor, Debbie Griffin, joined us on the March. I’d like to share someContinue reading “First Nation-Climate Unity March and Faith”

I am reflecting on my recent experience of walking from Des Moines to Fort Dodge, Iowa, as part of the First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March. There has been a path throughout my life that led me to join the March. I grew up on farms in the area of my Bear Creek (Quaker) Meeting community,Continue reading “The Path to Walking 94 Miles”