Polk County-ites know what it’s like to fight corporate greed off of precious land. Last year, Polk County came together as a community and defeated Duke Energy’s proposed transmission lines which would have cut through our mountains and uprooted many families.

Right now, there is a similar situation going on in North Dakota. Big oil companies are trying to build a pipeline that cuts through sacred Native American land without their consent, disrupting people’s lives and threatening to poison their water. Families who have lived in North Dakota for generations are camped out in the cold, peacefully protesting for the right to their land and water through sit-ins, songs, and prayers. They are being met with violent opposition by the huge corporations who only have their own money in mind.

In honor of Thanksgiving, Cabot Lee, Talia, and Malynne Petoia of Tryon are holding a donation drive for the Sioux tribe to help them keep their land just like we got to keep ours.

Please bring donations of the following to 54 Broadway Ave., Tryon, N.C., Nov 22-26: Wool socks and underwear, axes, PVC pipe, spray cleaner, fly paper, wipes, silverware, gas cards, gift cards to supply stores, peelers, can openers, books for teens, board games, old cell phones, crank chargers, and computers. There will also be a letter to the tribe that all can sign to show their support that will be sent along with the supplies.

Happy Thanksgiving, Polk County!

Cabot Lee Petoia

Tryon, N.C.