Jasilyn Charger facts for kids

Jasilyn Charger (born May 20, 1996) is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, USA. Jasilyn is a land activist, water protector, and community organizer. They speak up for Native American rights and the rights of all people. Jasilyn was a young leader in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. They also protested against the Keystone Pipeline and took part in peaceful actions.

Jasilyn helped start several groups like the One Mind Youth Movement, the International Indigenous Youth Council, and Seventh Defenders. They are also part of the Warrior Women Project.

Early Life and Inspiration

Jasilyn Charger grew up on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. They learned about standing up for what's right from their family. Their relatives were against a uranium mine, and Jasilyn learned traditional ways from their mother.

Jasilyn has a twin sister named Jasilea Charger. Their grandfather, Harry Charger, was a chief of the Itazipco band.

When Jasilyn was 13, they spent time in different homes and facilities. They did not see their family again until they turned 18.

In 2014, Jasilyn returned home. Many sad events, like suicides and funerals, were happening in their community. Jasilyn was helped by Chief David Bald Eagle, who welcomed them into his home. After two friends died by suicide in 2015, Jasilyn and two friends started the One Mind Youth Movement. This group encouraged young people to support each other. They wanted to create a safe place for kids to learn important life skills and find protection.

Standing Up for Justice

Protecting Land and Climate

In November 2015, Jasilyn Charger and other members of the One Mind Youth Movement went to a rally in Washington, D.C.. This event was called "Our Generation, Our Choice." They asked politicians to deal with issues like fairness for all people, immigration, and climate change.

Jasilyn gave a speech, saying, "We're tired, we've had enough." They explained that young people were losing their future but were there to make a change. The group focused on problems facing Native communities, especially Native American youth. They used the rally to speak up for tribal youth and make sure their voices were heard.

The Dakota Access Pipeline Protest

In April 2016, Jasilyn Charger, the One Mind Youth Movement, and other experienced activists set up Sacred Stone Camp. This was the first small prayer camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota. It was located on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

The camp was started to stop the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline. This pipeline would carry a lot of oil under the Missouri River. This river is the main source of drinking water for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The pipeline posed a big risk to their water supply.

The Sacred Stone Camp was also a safe place for young people. They could learn skills to help them heal from difficult experiences. Jasilyn said it was important to let go of past hurts. "We don't want our children to inherit this depression," they explained. The young people at the camp, who later called themselves the International Indigenous Youth Council, found a family-like feeling there. Groups like the Indigenous Environmental Network (I.E.N.) supported the activists. The I.E.N. even helped Jasilyn go to Washington to train as an organizer.

Running for Water

In July and August 2016, Jasilyn and their twin sister Jasilea joined about 30 activists. They took part in a 2,000-mile relay run from Sacred Stone Camp to Washington, D.C. The goal was to bring attention to the protests. They also delivered a petition with over 140,000 signatures against the pipeline.

This relay run was organized by ReZpect Our Water and Octei Sakowin Youth and allies. Running to deliver an important message is a traditional Native American custom. The runners pass the message like a baton in a race to deliver it quickly. About 40 runners completed the entire distance. The actress and activist Shailene Woodley also joined the relay. The petition on Change.org eventually got 559,237 signatures.

The group ran for 22 days, arriving on August 5. They met with important government officials. The Dakota Access Pipeline protest gained attention from all over the world.

Jasilyn said, "I run for every man, woman and child that was, that is, and for those who will come to be... I run for my life, because I want to live." They added that it's up to people to make sure the government is responsible. "Our land is in danger, as well as our identity, but we will not stand in silence... We are rising from this problem and uniting nations that have been separate for generations. We must take advantage of this chance to make a change."

In September 2016, Chief Arvol Looking Horse gave the young people a chanupa. This is a sacred ceremonial pipe that represents the connection between people, nature, and ancestors. The council also called the youth akicita, a Lakota word meaning "warriors for the people."

In December 2016, the Army Corps of Engineers denied the pipeline's needed permit. David Archambault II, the chairman of the Standing Rock tribal government, thanked the runners for their actions. He said, "When the youth ran to D.C., that's when this really got started."

Continuing the Fight: Keystone Pipeline

After the Standing Rock camp ended in early 2017, Jasilyn returned to Eagle Butte. They faced a difficult time but found new determination to protect the earth. They decided to use their experiences to help prevent suicide and organize against the Keystone Pipeline.

Jasilyn and other tribal members formed Roots Camp. This was a small protest camp on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. The people at the camp planned to stay until all parts of the Keystone Pipeline were removed from land that belongs to the Lakota people by treaty.

In November 2020, Jasilyn took part in a peaceful protest by attaching themselves to a pump station. They faced legal consequences for this act. They agreed to a period of probation and fines instead of jail time.

In December 2020, Jasilyn was a speaker at an online event called "Indigenous Womxn Fighting Pipelines." This event was presented by the Indigenous Environmental Network.

The Keystone Pipeline project was officially canceled on June 9, 2021.

Recognition

Jasilyn Charger has been recognized for their important work:

• Teen Vogue’s Water Warriors - April 2017
• MIT News MIT Media Lab’s Disobedience Award - Honorable Mention - July 2017
• How Stuff Works (History): Five times young people changed the world - 2018
• The Guardian: The Frederick Douglass 200 - February 2019
• Rolling Stone: Children of the Climate Crisis - March 2020
• Ms. Magazine Book Review: How we go home - a collection of twelve oral histories by Indigenous people from across Canada and the United States. - Nov 2020

See also

• Dakota Access Pipeline protests
• Dakota Access Pipeline protests - indigenous youth activists
• Keystone Pipeline - protests and opposition