Dakota Pipeline
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a 1,172-mile conduit slated to carry crude oil from North Dakota to southern Illinois. This project was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year but as soon as the project was approved in January, many people were outraged. Tons of Native American protesters were worried that the pipes would pollute the water. Protests sparked at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. Many Native Americans set up camp near the area. There were reports of macing and violent security dog attacks on protestors, including women and children. Many residents of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation began petitioning the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny the final permit. The amount of violence forced workers and security guards to stop their work.
These protests caught the attention of President Obama. On September 9, 2016, The Obama Administration made a surprise announcement that the project would be put on hold. Said in a joint statement from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Army, “Construction of the pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time. We request that the pipeline company volintarily pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahu.”
These protests don't only consist of adults. Many of the Native children are starting to get involved. The youth of Standing Rock launched a petition called Rezpect our Water. The word Rezpect is a blend of the word respect, and the Native slang term “rez.” 14 year old Winona Gayton stated “it’s messed up because we get all our water from the Missouri river.” 12 year old Tokata Iron Eyes said “its like they don’t care about us. They’re not the ones being affected, so why should they be the ones to make the decisison?” The Rezpect our Water petition now has over 300,000 supporters.
Along with members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, many celebrities have gotten involved with the protest. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio voiced his support for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in a tweet saying, “I stand with the Great Sioux Nation to protect their water and lands.” Along with his tweet, DiCaprio shared a link to a change.org petition written by 13 year old, Anna Lee Rain Yellowhammer to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Along with DiCaprio, celebrities such as Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, and Ray Fischer also voiced their opposition to the pipeline project. In a video, Miller says “we want to say that our hearts are with the Native youth of the Standing Rock Reservation, and that we oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline.” Momoa posted several pictures to show support and Fischer urged people visit the Rezpect our Water website.
The Dakota Access Pipeline project is unfair to the people that live there. Not only was it announced without their approval, but it could severely damage their water supply. Visit rezpectourwater.com to join the cause.