Tim Walz & Line 3
Indigenous water protectors in Minnesota aren't cheering a Harris-Walz White House just yet.
LISTENING: to the rain falling outside
FEELING: confused about life!!!
SEEING: the gray skies give me some cool relief
Sorry for such a late newsletter today. Yesterday was one of those days I expected to get a lot more done, and then the day slipped away. I did manage to co-work with a friend and see another afterward. I really needed some friend time — it's been an emotionally hard week, and my period is coming soon. Gah, I'm just feeling the feelings these days.
The weather in New York isn't helping. It's been raining nonstop, ushering in a breeze we've been in serious need of. Temperatures have been hitting a cool 69 degrees Fahrenheit. All this moisture is a result of Tropical Storm Debby, which is churning through the Atlantic. It's already killed at least seven people. Let's hope there's no more death (but the death toll has literally increased since I began writing this so 😔).
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What I really want to talk about today, however, is the big news around the presidential ticket. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is tapping in as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. Most of what I'm seeing online is positive. I've got to admit that I did not hear of the guy until the announcement. I've seen gone down a hole trying to learn more about him.
He seemed perfect until I saw some reactions from Indigenous folks in Minnesota. They gave me a sobering reminder: No politician is perfect. And we must hold them accountable, even in our support of them.
Welcome to Possibilities, a creative climate newsletter on the possibilities that lie where crisis meets community. I’m Yessenia Funes, and do you remember the Line 3 crude oil pipeline battle?
I first covered the controversial pipeline and the Indigenous resistance to it back in 2017 when I was a staff writer for Earther. I continued to cover the issue in several pieces for Atmos. Ultimately, the pipeline went into operation in October 2021. Tim Walz was governor at the time.
Yessenia Funes