Greg Grey Cloud facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Greg Grey Cloud
Grey Cloud in 2021

Greg Grey Cloud is a respected leader from the Crow Creek Nation. He is known as an educator, a singer, and an activist. An activist is someone who works hard to bring about change. Greg Grey Cloud helped start an organization called Wica Agli. This group works to stop violence in communities, especially against women and children. He is also a strong supporter of Native American rights and cares deeply about the environment. He became well-known for singing a special Honor Song in the Senate. This happened after a bill about the Keystone XL Pipeline was not approved. He also led a group called the Spirit Riders to protect land near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. This land was affected by the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Standing Up for Important Causes

Greg Grey Cloud has worked hard to protect the environment and Native American rights. His actions have brought attention to important issues.

Speaking Out in the Senate

On November 18, 2014, Greg Grey Cloud met with lawmakers to discuss the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. This pipeline project was a big topic of discussion. After a close vote, senators decided not to approve the pipeline bill. To show respect for their decision, Grey Cloud stood up and sang a traditional song.

Some security officers were called, and Grey Cloud and his group were asked to leave. Grey Cloud later explained that his song was not a protest. He said, "It was a song of honor, honoring the senators, the hard work and courage for standing up and saying no to Big Oil." When he went to court, all the concerns against him were dismissed.

Protecting Water and Land

In the fall of 2016, Greg Grey Cloud was involved in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Here, Native American people and their supporters were called "water protectors." They were trying to protect their land and water. They faced security teams and police from different areas.

Grey Cloud was part of a small group called the Spirit Riders. They rode horses and wore traditional clothing. He described how they rode forward to protect the land where their ancestors were buried. He said, "Medicine men first painted our horses and used medicine carried by Crazy Horse before we dressed the horses. ... We counted coup on the police who were trying to keep the water protectors away. The police moved back and ran away so that the protectors could move forward and protect the land where our ancestors were buried." Counting coup is a traditional Native American way of showing bravery without fighting.

Grey Cloud reported that on October 28, some of the Crow Creek horses and riders were chased by police. The police were riding ATVs and used rubber bullets. This caused injuries to some riders and two horses. Sadly, one horse was so badly hurt that it had to be put down.

As a visible member of the Dakota Access Pipeline resistance, Greg Grey Cloud shared his experiences. He spoke about how the security forces at Standing Rock seemed to become more like a military. He also talked about how the water protectors were watched closely. Many groups, including the ACLU, showed their support for the water protectors.