by Vincent Schilling
ARTICLE UPDATED: Monday November 7th

Iconic musicians Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt, along with performers Joel Rafael, and the late John Trudell’s band, Bad Dog, will perform a benefit concert on Sunday, November 27 for the Water Protectors on the front line at Standing Rock. Storyteller Ladonna Brave Bull Allard, founder of the Standing Rock Sioux Camp at Sacred Stone, will speak at the concert. Other performers will be announced as they are confirmed.

UPDATED INFO: The concert is free for the Standing Rock community and Water Protectors.  Next week, cards will be distributed to the Water Protectors in the camps and Standing Rock community that can be exchanged for complimentary tickets at the Casino box office.   All gross proceeds from the concert public ticket sales will benefit the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their efforts to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline and prepare the camps for winter.

The concert will be on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 6:30 pm at the Prairie Knights Pavilion in Fort Yates, ND, which is seven miles from the Oceti Sakowin Camp. Tickets went on sale to the general public on Saturday November 5th at 10 am central; The link to purchase tickets is HERE  or by phone at 800-585-3737.

“Just as we give thanks for our good fortune and the bounty of our lives as Americans, let us thank the Native people who are gathered here at Standing Rock to protect the natural world and defend our place in it,” said Jackson Browne in a statement submitted to ICTMN.

Bonnie Raitt also expressed solidarity with Standing Rock in the statement.

“I’m proud to be standing in support of the courageous and dedicated Water Protectors at Standing Rock. This movement is growing by the day with solidarity actions happening around the country, yet the media isn’t covering it nearly enough. Our hope is that this concert will help bring more awareness and media attention to the issues being raised at Standing Rock, and to put pressure on The Obama Administration to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline until protection of sacred sites is ensured,” said Raitt.

“We are honored to have these great artists stand with us!” said Brave Bull Allard.

Raitt and Browne have long been supporters of Indian country, as well as the Oceti Sakowin Camp, “a historic gathering of Native nations, friends and allies, from all walks of life standing in solidarity to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline.”

Editor’s Note: “Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt have stood in solidarity with Native peoples protecting their lands, water and lifeways for more than 37 years, their work to support Native-led efforts to protect the Earth began in 1979 when they came to the Black Hills and Four Corners area to help stop uranium mining. Through the decades, they have lent their voices, talent, time and  fame to raise awareness and funds for Native communities working for a safe and healthy future for us all. Thank you, Jackson and Bonnie, for continuing your stand and for supporting the resistance at Standing Rock.”

Organizers have invited those who can travel to North Dakota on Nov. 27th to “Stand in Solidarity with Standing Rock.” Others can contribute directly to www.standingrock.org.

Follow ICTMN’s Arts and Entertainment, Pow Wow’s and Sports Editor Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter – @VinceSchilling