Upcoming in Rocheport, Mo.
“We All Live Downstream” – Standing for Standing Rock in Missouri
Presentation by Regional activists Perry Bigsoldier of Protectors of Land and Water – Columbia, and Christine Ingrassia, St. Louis Alderwoman
Regional activists discuss their work supporting the camps upstream on the banks of the Cannonball in North Dakota protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Oceti Sakowin Camp, the largest of the Standing Rock encampments, the morning after a several day blizzard at the end of November. Photo by Angela Jimenez for MPR News. (https://www.mprnews.org/)
Presentation by Perry Bigsoldier, Protectors of Land & Water, Columbia; and Christine Ingrassia, St. Louis City Alderwoman.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
- 7 p.m. presentation
- lower floor of the Les Bourgeois Vineyards Bistro in Rocheport, MO
- Map and Directions
If you intend on coming early to purchase an amazing dinner at Les Bourgeois Bistro before the presentation, PLEASE call to make a reservation at: 573-698-2300 and…tell them you are with the Big Muddy Speaker Series!
Presentation is FREE and open to the public!
The protests in North Dakota near the banks of the Missouri River, along the Cannonball, have brought more attention to the Missouri River than any event since the 2011 flood. Communities far downstream are expressing their connection, by this river, with communities far upstream.
With the news that the Army Corps of Engineers has rejected Energy Transfer Partners’ permit to drill under the Missouri River (Lake Oahe), the dynamic of these protests has changed, and the nature of that change is still being developed.
This special presentation will bring together two people from the lowest reaches of the Missouri River to share the work they are doing here to support communities upstream.
Perry Bigsoldier has helped form a new organization in Columbia dedicated to supporting the Cannonball Camps, Protectors of Land and Water – Columbia. He’ll share his understanding of why this struggle is so important at this time and place.
Christine Ingrassia, as a St. Louis Alderwoman, sponsored a successful resolution by the City of St. Louis Expressing Solidarity With Indigenous Resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline She’ll share her stories visiting the upstream camps as well as her ongoing work on the ground and on the rivers of St. Louis.
We will also be joined by Ashland resident Mike Jones, who will give a brief update from his trip to the Oceti Sakowin camp last week as part of the veteran contingent supporting the camps.
Directions
- 14020 W. Hwy BB, Rocheport, MO
- Take I-70 to the Rocheport, MO, exit (Exit #115). It’s the first exit east of the Missouri River.
- Head north toward Rocheport.
- After about a mile, turn left at the sign for Les Bourgeois Bistro. Follow the signs to the Bistro. You will probably need to park in the lot above the Bistro and walk the trail down.
- The presentations are held in upstairs in the restaurant. The restaurant is no longer open on Tuesdays but the bar is! You are welcome to bring your own food or snacks.
Downloads
Resources & Links
Dig deeper for more info on this topic –
- Protectors of Land & Water – Columbia, MO
- Resolution 106 – City of St. Louis Resolution “Expressing Solidarity With Indigenous Resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline “
- #nodapl
- Sacred Stone Camp website (the original Standing Rock camp) • Facebook
- Oceti Sakowin Camp website • Facebook page
- “In their own words – the Water Protectors of Standing Rock” – NPR, Dec. 11, 2016
- Teacher Resources and lesson plans (really great resources for anyone wanting to understand the broader historical issues) from New York Times
The Big Muddy Speaker Series in Rocheport
is hosted by these wonderful partners.
Click here for a list of upcoming presentations»
Special thanks to Les Bourgeois Vineyards for giving us the opportunity to use their beautiful space overlooking the Missouri River. All speakers are presenting for free! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge with us!
The Big Muddy Speaker Series also takes place monthly in Kansas City and St. Charles.
The Big Muddy Speaker Series is partially funded by the Mo. Dept. of Conservation.