Driving into the camp, what they saw was surreal. They saw countless flags from many nations on the outer edges of the camp as far as the eyes could see. Members from the Cumberland House Cree Nation were in the Sacred Stones Camp to support the Dakota Access Pipeline Project (DAPL) protest on November 16.

Cory Cardinal, the Nisto Awasisak school principal, along with 10 students, three elders, Chief Lorne Stewart and Gerald Favel, President of Métis Society of Cumberland House, got a first-hand look at what was happening at Standing Rock.

Cardinal said this was an opportunity of a lifetime for his students. This was something they could experience, “instead of reading it in a book.”

He stated that he was hesitant to go at first because of all the violence he saw on social media but he knew they had to go.

“It’s about showing support for something that is near and dear to all of us, protecting our water resources,” Cardinal said.

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He talked about how when they got into the camp, there was a sign that stated the purpose of the camp. “Absolutely no drugs or alcohol on you or in you, this is a camp of prayer and ceremony.”

Cardinal said when he felt a real sense of peace in the camp, but the front lines had a completely different feeling.

“Very different vibe, very negative vibe,” he describes.

Cardinal told his students that what they saw there was what they talked about in history. The police and security were doing everything they could to provoke a response.

“The people here have given them absolutely nothing,” Cardinal stating about how the protestors never responded to the police violence.

The members of CHCN were honored with an honor song and a flag song. Chief Lorne Stewart brought the CHCN flag to be raised with the rest of the flags.

“It was a special moment. They thanked us for coming to support them,” Cardinal said.

Grade 12 student Peter Bear said that it was great that they got to go and was in awe by how many non-Aboriginal people that were present showing their support.

“It was my first time being there and it felt really good that they acknowledged us being there,” Bear said.

Cardinal said it was tough when they had to leave because they felt very much at home on spiritual ground.

“Our heart definitely stayed there, we wanted to be there longer, it was such a beautiful place to be,” Cardinal said.