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A look at how Confucianism continues to shape China, even under communist rule. How Sioux spirituality influenced the Standing Rock protests in North Dakota. And a disheartening story of Buddhist immigrants becoming the subject of discrimination in the United States. It's Faithful Friday, our segment on faiths and religious communities from around the world. All this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!

The water protectors at Standing Rock were desperate for firewood.  So desperate, they were going to sell this exquisite ceremonial dress, held by Priestess Ava Park in the above photo, for $2500.  The Goddess Temple of Orange County in Irvine, CA raised the money to secure the dress - only they're not keeping the dress.  They'll be the trusted custodians of this sacred clothing until such time it is returned to the owner, Annie Sharpfish.  Until then it will be respectfully displayed in solidarity with the Standing Rock and Native Tribes. 

"We've just received the sacred white elk ceremonial dress from Jumping Buffalo in the Dakotas," says Priestess Ava Park of the Goddess Temple of Orange County, as she begins to open the Priority Mail package with a letter opener on Friday. "This was sent to us in exchange for $2,500 for firewood. We did send the money, we knew that [Jumping Buffalo] was as good as his word, and he was. We sent the money in advance of the dress ... and so we open it now."

Excessive force indeed! The United Nations blasts the Americans on November 17 for its response to the Water Protectors' protest in South Dakota. The struggles around the Dakota Access Pipeline took an alarming turn when Donald Trump became the United States President-Elect on November 9th. At right is a photograph from Indian Country Today Media Network courtesy of Myron Dewey. What you see in this very disturbing photo is merely the continuation of what has never ended in the United States when it comes to Native Americans. Here is the American historical response to Indigenous sovereignty since the 1500s:

1. Militarized response to Indigenous peaceful protests;