Standing Rock anniversary event to feature music, speakers and celebrity visitors

A three-day event planned for Sept. 16-18 near Cannonball, North Dakota, will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests with music, speakers and discussions centered on environmental and Indigenous issues, according to reporting by KFGO. The event, called “People of the Sun,” is organized by Indigenized Energy, a Native American-led nonprofit solar energy company founded after the 2016 protests. Organizers said the gathering will include actors Mark Ruffalo and Shailene Woodley, musician Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas and the band Mumford and Sons.

Indigenized Energy founder Cody Two Bears said the event is intended to celebrate work that grew from the #NoDAPL movement and focus on future energy sovereignty efforts. The conference will include awards recognizing tribal clean energy leadership, workforce development and mentorship. Organizers also plan to showcase ongoing solar energy projects at Standing Rock, including infrastructure tied to buffalo processing and herd management.