In August, when the protest first started, a Native American friend of mine told me about a small issue developing in North Dakota that none of the major medias were covering. I wrote an article about 200 Sioux protesters in the Standing Rock reservation fighting the illegal construction of an oil pipeline through their land that will also cross the Missouri river. According to most experts as well as statistics, the pipeline will leak into the river, a river that 17 million people drink from. However, that article failed to get any traction. But as the number of protesters has grown so too has the amount of public awareness. Now, you can’t go a day without hearing about the Dakota Access Pipe Line. So, finally, I had enough. I couldn’t take my mind off the fact that once again the natives were being oppressed in the land of the free and home of the brave. I told my boss where and why I was going. He asked me how long I’d be gone, to which I replied, “If I’m not back in five days it’ll mean I’m dead or in jail.”
I left with three friends with the intent of helping in whatever way we could. We arrived at sundown and were immediately dumbstruck by the sheer scale of the camp. There are 300 different tribes represented at Standing Rock which is the single greatest gathering of tribes in this continent’s history. There are people not only from all over the country but from all over the world there in support of the fight against DAPL. Irish, Australians, Scandinavians, Canadians. Blacks and whites, Jews and Christians. Anyone who refuses to abide the steamrolling of corporate interest through not only people’s land but also our environment. Everyone there regardless of race or religion constantly chant "Mni Wiconi!" which is Lakota Sioux for water is life.
I took the above photos during a Sioux ritual performed to heal an area called Turtle Island which had witnessed traumatic violence a week prior.
On the other side of the camp, the police watch every move in the camp. DAPL has State Police, Sheriffs, National Guard, and even private security contractors (mercenaries), protecting the illegal construction. Just north of the camp, the pipeline is being pushed through. And while the protesters have had some success in delaying the construction, DAPL has increased their efforts. About a week ago, DAPL issued a statement that they will begin drilling for oil whether they have the legal permits to do so or not. And given that they’re a multi-billion dollar company they can afford to pay whatever amount is fined against them for the illegal drilling.
This is not the first time this has happened either. I met a member of the Crow nation from Montana there and he told me that the same thing happened to his people. Unfortunately, the Crow were unsuccessful at stopping an energy company from pushing them off their lands. I’ll never forget what he said next. He told me that what’s happening at Standing Rock is a make it or break it scenario because the natives are putting in everything they’ve got and if the DAPL wins here then that’s it for the Sioux. Their only water source will be contaminated rendering the reservation a wasteland.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why so many people show up to protest. There is a true sense of urgency to protect the Missouri river which 17 million people drink from. But despite the urgency, it is imperative that people do not allow their over-zealousness to hurt the protest. I learned there that the natives make it a priority to reign in any hot-tempered peopled because they know that their only chance of success is through peaceful demonstrations. One day's loss in construction (due to a peaceful sit in) can cost the DAPL up to $2,000,000. So, while having as many people there as possible is technically good, it’s more helpful if you have a calm and disciplined disposition for it will allow for more successful work under the guidance of the natives.
More than large amounts of people, what the effort really needs is supplies. Currently, a massive snow storm is heading towards the Dakotas so Standing Rock needs blankets, sturdier shelters, fresh water, food, money, and well-trained personnel. You have to remember that these people have virtually nothing. The Native American reservations are the poorest and most neglected communities in the country. So if there’s anything you can do, do it.
But I, honestly, think that the outcome will be determined by the federal government. So, I would advise that you demand your local representative fight this in Washington. Remember that this started with the natives but it ends with all of us.
I took this video on the ancestral Sioux lands in North Dakota seconds after their morning prayer to the sun. Sioux braves ride their horses around camp as sporadic native cries and tribal drums echo around. On the horizon to the left, the cops and military monitor everything.
