James, a veteran originally from North Dakota, sits patiently on the bus waiting to arrive at Standing Rock Reservation. He is one of many veterans who traveled to the reservation to protect Native Americans from the police officers use of brut

James, a veteran originally from North Dakota, sits patiently on the bus waiting to arrive at Standing Rock Reservation. He is one of many veterans who traveled to the reservation to protect Native Americans from the police officers use of brutal tactics against the peaceful "water protectors." The Native Americans are protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline's proposed route running underneath the Missouri River and through sacred burial grounds.

Fort Yates, ND
December 3rd, 2016.

Members of the Sioux Tribe conduct a cleansing ceremony for the veterans before starting the prayer and forgiveness ceremony. Fort Yates, ND December 5th, 2016.

Members of the Sioux Tribe conduct a cleansing ceremony for the veterans before starting the prayer and forgiveness ceremony.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

Two veterans embrace each other during a prayer sung by the Elders. With emotions running high during the forgiveness ceremony, many veterans broke down into tears. Looking around, you could see how much this meant to everyone. Fort Yates, ND Decem

Two veterans embrace each other during a prayer sung by the Elders. With emotions running high during the forgiveness ceremony, many veterans broke down into tears. Looking around, you could see how much this meant to everyone.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The veterans are told to get into a special formation by rank. As they prepare to ask forgiveness for centuries of crimes, one of the higher ranking veterans begins to cry.  Fort Yates, ND December 5th, 2016.  

The veterans are told to get into a special formation by rank. As they prepare to ask forgiveness for centuries of crimes, one of the higher ranking veterans begins to cry. 

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.
 

Wes Clark Jr, only moments before he is set to take the microphone and ask for forgiveness from the Native American elders. He is the son of former supreme commander of NATO's military forces (Europe). Wes Clark Jr is the initiator of the Veterans f

Wes Clark Jr, only moments before he is set to take the microphone and ask for forgiveness from the Native American elders. He is the son of former supreme commander of NATO's military forces (Europe). Wes Clark Jr is the initiator of the Veterans for Standing Rock movement and GoFundMe account, both facing criticism now that the "mission" is over.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

"We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faces of our presidents onto your sacred mountain... We didn’t respect you, we polluted your Earth, we’ve hurt you in so ma

"We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faces of our presidents onto your sacred mountain... We didn’t respect you, we polluted your Earth, we’ve hurt you in so many ways but we’ve come to say that we are sorry. We are at your service and we beg for your forgiveness." - Wes Clark Jr to the Native Americans.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The veterans kneel for forgiveness, but they aren't the only ones who can't hold themselves together. Many of the people in the room, including journalists and civilians, continued to cry throughout the entire ceremony. Fort Yates, ND December 5th,

The veterans kneel for forgiveness, but they aren't the only ones who can't hold themselves together. Many of the people in the room, including journalists and civilians, continued to cry throughout the entire ceremony.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The Navajo Nation, Sioux Tribe, and elders from many other tribes show their support for the veterans. The elders forgive the veterans of their past atrocities and thank them for showing up to protect them, a tremendous moment in the history of the

The Navajo Nation, Sioux Tribe, and elders from many other tribes show their support for the veterans. The elders forgive the veterans of their past atrocities and thank them for showing up to protect them, a tremendous moment in the history of the United States of America.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The ceremony ends with Veterans and elders sharing hugs, tears, laughter, and stories of their pasts. Wes Clark Jr gives his hat to a Native Americans veteran. A unification for the history books. Fort Yates, ND December 5th, 2016.

The ceremony ends with Veterans and elders sharing hugs, tears, laughter, and stories of their pasts. Wes Clark Jr gives his hat to a Native Americans veteran. A unification for the history books.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

A young Native American boy, Koda, brought joy to many of the veterans being housed in Fort Yates. On the night before the troops began heading homeward, it was Koda's birthday and  the veterans wrote a letter honoring him.  "The Secret

A young Native American boy, Koda, brought joy to many of the veterans being housed in Fort Yates. On the night before the troops began heading homeward, it was Koda's birthday and the veterans wrote a letter honoring him. 

"The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of Koda. In view of these qualities and his demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the United States Veterans, he is, therefore, promoted to honorary company commander. This order is effective 6 December 2016, Signed, Veterans Stand for Standing Rock Movement."

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

James, a veteran originally from North Dakota, sits patiently on the bus waiting to arrive at Standing Rock Reservation. He is one of many veterans who traveled to the reservation to protect Native Americans from the police officers use of brut
Members of the Sioux Tribe conduct a cleansing ceremony for the veterans before starting the prayer and forgiveness ceremony. Fort Yates, ND December 5th, 2016.
Two veterans embrace each other during a prayer sung by the Elders. With emotions running high during the forgiveness ceremony, many veterans broke down into tears. Looking around, you could see how much this meant to everyone. Fort Yates, ND Decem
The veterans are told to get into a special formation by rank. As they prepare to ask forgiveness for centuries of crimes, one of the higher ranking veterans begins to cry.  Fort Yates, ND December 5th, 2016.  
Wes Clark Jr, only moments before he is set to take the microphone and ask for forgiveness from the Native American elders. He is the son of former supreme commander of NATO's military forces (Europe). Wes Clark Jr is the initiator of the Veterans f
"We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faces of our presidents onto your sacred mountain... We didn’t respect you, we polluted your Earth, we’ve hurt you in so ma
The veterans kneel for forgiveness, but they aren't the only ones who can't hold themselves together. Many of the people in the room, including journalists and civilians, continued to cry throughout the entire ceremony. Fort Yates, ND December 5th,
The Navajo Nation, Sioux Tribe, and elders from many other tribes show their support for the veterans. The elders forgive the veterans of their past atrocities and thank them for showing up to protect them, a tremendous moment in the history of the
The ceremony ends with Veterans and elders sharing hugs, tears, laughter, and stories of their pasts. Wes Clark Jr gives his hat to a Native Americans veteran. A unification for the history books. Fort Yates, ND December 5th, 2016.
A young Native American boy, Koda, brought joy to many of the veterans being housed in Fort Yates. On the night before the troops began heading homeward, it was Koda's birthday and  the veterans wrote a letter honoring him.  "The Secret

James, a veteran originally from North Dakota, sits patiently on the bus waiting to arrive at Standing Rock Reservation. He is one of many veterans who traveled to the reservation to protect Native Americans from the police officers use of brutal tactics against the peaceful "water protectors." The Native Americans are protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline's proposed route running underneath the Missouri River and through sacred burial grounds.

Fort Yates, ND
December 3rd, 2016.

Members of the Sioux Tribe conduct a cleansing ceremony for the veterans before starting the prayer and forgiveness ceremony.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

Two veterans embrace each other during a prayer sung by the Elders. With emotions running high during the forgiveness ceremony, many veterans broke down into tears. Looking around, you could see how much this meant to everyone.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The veterans are told to get into a special formation by rank. As they prepare to ask forgiveness for centuries of crimes, one of the higher ranking veterans begins to cry. 

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.
 

Wes Clark Jr, only moments before he is set to take the microphone and ask for forgiveness from the Native American elders. He is the son of former supreme commander of NATO's military forces (Europe). Wes Clark Jr is the initiator of the Veterans for Standing Rock movement and GoFundMe account, both facing criticism now that the "mission" is over.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

"We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faces of our presidents onto your sacred mountain... We didn’t respect you, we polluted your Earth, we’ve hurt you in so many ways but we’ve come to say that we are sorry. We are at your service and we beg for your forgiveness." - Wes Clark Jr to the Native Americans.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The veterans kneel for forgiveness, but they aren't the only ones who can't hold themselves together. Many of the people in the room, including journalists and civilians, continued to cry throughout the entire ceremony.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The Navajo Nation, Sioux Tribe, and elders from many other tribes show their support for the veterans. The elders forgive the veterans of their past atrocities and thank them for showing up to protect them, a tremendous moment in the history of the United States of America.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

The ceremony ends with Veterans and elders sharing hugs, tears, laughter, and stories of their pasts. Wes Clark Jr gives his hat to a Native Americans veteran. A unification for the history books.

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

A young Native American boy, Koda, brought joy to many of the veterans being housed in Fort Yates. On the night before the troops began heading homeward, it was Koda's birthday and the veterans wrote a letter honoring him. 

"The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of Koda. In view of these qualities and his demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the United States Veterans, he is, therefore, promoted to honorary company commander. This order is effective 6 December 2016, Signed, Veterans Stand for Standing Rock Movement."

Fort Yates, ND
December 5th, 2016.

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