Oneida Indian Nation Homelands – June 5, 2018 – The Oneida Indian Nation applauded the exoneration of Native American journalist Jenni Monet, who was improperly arrested last year while reporting on the Dakota Access Pipeline protest for Indian Country Today Media Network. The Oneida Indian Nation, which owned and ran the publication at the time, has continued to support Monet by covering the legal fees of her trial for charges of criminal trespassing.
“Jenni’s courageous commitment to sharing the reality of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in the face of adversity is an inspiration to all those fighting for journalistic rights, as well as those working to shine a light on the critical issues facing indigenous peoples in this country,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter. “The Oneida Indian Nation was proud to help Jenni defend her constitutional right to freedom of the press, and we are gratified that justice was served and she was found not guilty.
The Oneida Indian Nation has been an ongoing supporter of those who exercised their freedom by protesting at the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Halbritter visited the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in October 2016 and provided recording devices to protestors, enabling them to broadcast the daily events and document what was taking place. In coordination with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Oneida Indian Nation also held a benefit concert in February 2017 featuring legendary rocker and activist Melissa Etheridge, which raised money to help defray legal costs for peaceful protestors who were harassed and detained.
