While many Americans prepared their Thanksgiving dinner, on Thursday, November 24, 2016, water protectors from all over the country and world marched to Cannonball River, where they held prayer, built a bridge, and crossed the river to Turtle Island.
Water protectors sang at the base of sacred burial site Turtle Island, while armed police stood atop it. Prayer was held in peace.
![Photo by Rachel Jones-9833](http://sojournjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Photo-by-Rachel-Jones-9833-1024x682.jpg)
Greg Sealion Cotten, 42, prays on the edge of Cannonball River on November 24, 2016.
![Photo by Rachel Jones-9859](http://sojournjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Photo-by-Rachel-Jones-9859-1024x682.jpg)
![Photo by Rachel Jones-9854](http://sojournjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Photo-by-Rachel-Jones-9854-1024x682.jpg)
Phanie, 26, stands in prayer with sage facing Turtle Island from across Cannonball River on November 24, 2016.
![Photo by Rachel Jones-9923](http://sojournjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Photo-by-Rachel-Jones-9923-1024x682.jpg)
Water protector brings wood for bridge to Turtle Island on November 24, 2016.
![Photo by Rachel Jones-9764](http://sojournjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Photo-by-Rachel-Jones-97641-1024x682.jpg)
Water protectors build bridge to cross Cannonball River to Turtle Island on November 24, 2016.
![Photo by Rachel Jones-9864](http://sojournjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Photo-by-Rachel-Jones-9864-1024x682.jpg)
![Photo by Rachel Jones-9830](http://sojournjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Photo-by-Rachel-Jones-9830-819x1024.jpg)
Water protector holds sign saying “Water is Life,” facing Turtle Island, on November 24, 2016.