Late Sunday night, as I habitually scrolled through Instagram, I immediately was struck by one photo. After reading the caption, my heart swelled with pride.

It was the moment I learned of the victory for the Standing Rock Sioux. They, as well as many activists, had been protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, which was planned to cross under Lake Oahe, the tribe’s primary water source, for months. Clueless? As if! Google “Standing Rock Sioux” to learn more from the news source of your choice.

I had nothing, absolutely nada, to do with their fight.

I had not donated money to their cause.

I had not linked arms on their land and had water blasted on me in freezing temperatures on Thanksgiving.

I had not felt any of their pain.

Yet, through my far-removed blood relation to the Sioux, I felt their pride.

Why? Is that what you are wondering? Let me give you some background. My great-grandmother, Sarah Frost, was part Sioux Indian. My Granny, Zula, therefore was, too, as was her sister Hiawatha (I knew her only as Peanut). Down the line the Sioux blood went, diluted by each generation. However, there is some still in my father and, therefore, me.

My relative connection with the Sioux was the baseline for my pride. However, what I was overwhelmingly more proud of was seeing people, joined together for a common cause, creating change.

How to stand on your rock to create change:

1. Be Knowledgeable. Know exactly what you are standing on your rock for. Knowledge is power, so you must know the past, present, and projected future for any cause you are putting your energy behind. Do not be a blind follower. Be an involved warrior. If you wish to create change for something you believe strongly in, being knowledgeable is the foundation. There will be plenty of naysayers and doubters who will try to push you off your rock. They will question you and your platform. Be ready to fight back with your wisdom. Know what you are fighting for and why before you ever begin to advocate for change.

2. Be Clear. Create a very clear message to communicate to others. If you want to elicit change, it’s going to take the buy-in from others. The best way to do that is not through some super-complicated presentation. It’s through a simple and precise campaign. Prior to President Barack Obama being elected, he was a fairly unknown Senator. How was he able to move a nation to elect him? By building his entire campaign on the back of a clear message that was easy for people to identify with and remember: “Change we can believe in.” Speaking of change, if you want to create some, begin with clear messaging.

3. Be Brave. It’s not easy to stand on your rock and work for change. People are mean, sometimes ruthless. There will be people who want to yank you down from your rock. People, who won’t believe you, will fight against you, and who will throw insults and sticks and stones directly in your face. Be brave. Change is never easy nor is it usually quick. If you want to see true change, everlasting change, you’re probably going to have to be brave enough to not fear opposition. Brave enough to be alone. Brave enough to be different. Brave enough to be statuesque in your belief. Brave enough to never give up. Brave in your heart, mind, and soul. Within the bravery, change begins to be made. 

4. Be Respectful. When you want to cause change, you are going to ruffle some feathers. It’s your job to remain respectful at all times. Be the bigger person. Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said in his statement, “Throughout this effort, I have stressed the importance of acting at all times in a peaceful and prayerful manner.” Enough said.

When you combine all of these things together, you create a leader. Leaders are the people who create change. They begin by inspiring change inside others first. Then, from the rock on which they stand, they inspire change for the masses, creating a lasting impact, a legacy, on all they touch. When this happens, no matter how large or small, it’s breathtaking to behold.

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