The NO KXL message on the star quilt presented to President Barack Obama. Photos from Dallas Goldtooth
A star blanket presented to President Barack Obama during his visit to South Dakota last week carries a hidden message. The artist who created the quilt stitched "NO KXL" on the back. The message ensures that tribal opposition to the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline will always be present at the White House. "What a powerful and subtle way to be a part of this movement," Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network said on Facebook, where he shared photos of the quilt and the hidden message.
A larger view of the blanket. Photo by Ruth Hopkins / Twitter
The blanket was a gift from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. Obama accepted it during the May 8 commencement exercises at the Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, just a few miles from the southern edge of the reservation. Tribal member DeVon Bursheim made the quilt, Sota Iya Ye Yapi, the tribe's newspaper, reported. It features an eight-sided star pattern that typically symbolizes honor. Amanda Wilkening, a graduate of Lake Area, presented the blanket to Obama as Tribal President Bruce Renville watched from the audience, Sota Iya Ye Yapi reported. Renville brought three tribal students as guests, the paper said. Obama's visit was met with protests urging him to reject the pipeline. Goldtooth, who was one of the organizers, met with the tribal council and secured their support for the effort, the paper reported.
Then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) met with tribal leaders in South Dakota during his 2008 presidential campaign. Photo from Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association / Facebook
The star quilt isn't the first that Obama has accepted in South Dakota, where he campaigned in 2008 presidential. He can be seen with a blanket in a photo from the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association.
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Native Sun News: Keystone protesters greet
President Obama (5/14) FBI broke rules in probe into Keystone XL Pipeline opponents (5/13)
Protest urges President Obama to deny Keystone XL Pipeline (5/8)
South Dakota tribes form alliance to battle Keystone XL plan (5/6)
Native Sun News: Tribes keep up fight against Keystone XL bid (5/5)
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe cites treaty in bid to oust Keystone XL firm (05/01)
Native Sun News: Tensions rise over Keystone XL proceedings (04/21)
DOI submits Keystone XL opposition letters from tribes to State (04/14)
Native Sun News: Treaty defenders to see Keystone fight to end (03/05)
Native youth send video message to Obama on Keystone XL (03/03)
Dean Suagee: Tribal issues being ignored in Keystone XL battle (02/24)
Obama expected to veto bill to authorize Keystone XL Pipeline (2/24)
Native Sun News: 'Moccasins on the Ground' against Keystone (02/13)
Dean Suagee: Keystone XL Pipeline and climate change debate (02/13)
Tara Houska: Congress continues tradition of taking from tribes (02/13)
Gyasi Ross: Faith Spotted Eagle discusses Keystone XL battle (02/13)
Congress approves measure to authorize Keystone XL Pipeline (02/12)
EPA urges another look at emissions from Keystone XL Pipeline (02/04)
Mark Anthony Rolo: Declaration of war against Keystone Pipeline (01/30)
Senate passes bill to approve controversial Keystone XL Pipeline (01/30)
Native Sun News: Tribes ask Obama to deny Keystone XL permit (1/28)
Native Sun News: Native youth take stand against Keystone bid (1/28)
Tara Houska: Respect treaties and reject Keystone XL Pipeline (1/28)
Senate Democrats delay vote on Keystone XL Pipeline measure (1/27)
Jacqueline Keeler: Keystone fight is about more than a pipeline (1/21)
Senate continues debate on bill to approve Keystone XL Pipeline (1/21)
Native Sun News: Tribes continue fight against Keystone Pipeline (01/16)
Judge dismisses case against Lakota activist for honor song (01/13)
Senate headed toward final vote on Keystone XL Pipeline bill (01/13)
Nebraska court upholds law setting Keystone XL Pipeline route (1/9)
Senate committee goes ahead with meeting on Keystone XL bill (1/8)
Senate Democrats force cancellation of hearing on Keystone bill (1/6)
Senate committee to take up Keystone XL Pipeline bill this week (1/5)
Native Sun News: Bales taken at Rosebud Sioux Tribe spirit camp (12/12)
Tribes challenge permit for Keystone XL Pipeline in South Dakota (12/10)
Native Sun News: Crow Creek Sioux man upsets Senate with song (12/4)
Migizi Pensoneau: Sen. Tester betrays our people on Keystone (11/28)
Crystal Willcuts: Keystone XL Pipeline just makes the rich richer (11/24)
Winona LaDuke: No one believes in the 'black snake' pipeline (11/21)
Greg Grey Cloud explains Lakota honor song after Senate vote (11/20)
Crow Creek Sioux man arrested as Senate rejects Keystone bill (11/19)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe slams House vote on Keystone XL Pipeline (11/17)
Tim Giago: The final Indian war in America is about to begin (11/17)
Obama dismisses claimed benefits from Keystone XL Pipeline (11/14)
House heads for vote on bill to approve Keystone XL Pipeline (11/13)
Republican lawmakers vow to approve Keystone XL Pipeline (11/11)
Native Sun News: Sioux tribes intervene in Keystone review (11/11)
