A Sustainability Dialogue: The Dakota Access Pipeline and Subjugation of Native Americans

A familiar theme has reiterated itself in the United States since it's inception. The people and the government negotiate with one another, agreements are made, boundaries are set, and then promptly broken when the possibility of economic gain makes itself apparent. The latest such event has manifested itself in the protest of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe against the Dakota Access oil pipeline (DAPL) that will cross directly over the tribe's sole water source as well as numerous sacred and ceremonial grounds. (Source)

Anti Dakota Access Pipeline Sign - Source

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I graduated from American University with a BA in International Studies in December 2015 with a regional focus on Asia and a specialty in Environmental Sustainability and Global Health. I studied abroad at National Chengchi University in Taiwan. Im writing this series on sustainability to (as the title suggests) create a dialogue on a topic that I think is vital, and will become more so over the coming years.

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The Dakota Access pipeline constitutes anti-sustainability action in two ways.

1. First and foremost, oil pipelines such as these represent a definitive danger to environmental sustainability. The building of new oil infrastructure implies a focus on growing and expanding oil business and transportation as opposed to scaling back as the government has indicated in recent years that it is attempting to do. It is particularly ironic considering the United States just last week ratified the Paris Agreement, what many critics called some of the most ambitious environmental legislature ever written. (For more on the Paris Agreement, check out my previous post here.)
2. Second, this pipeline is the opposite of sustainable relations with Native American groups, as well as more general sustainable citizen/government interaction, and continues a narrative of Native subjugation going back to the foundation of the country.

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The Issue

• Dakota Access LLC, a subsidiary of Texas based Energy Transfer Partners, is attempting to build a 1,172 mile oil pipeline from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa and ultimately to Patoka, Illinois. (Source)

Dakota Access Pipeline Map

• The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe claims that the construction of the pipeline could desecrate sacred lands and numerous ceremonial sites. The pipeline would run less than half a mile away from the reservation. (Source)
• They further fear that, since the pipeline passes through the Missouri river just upstream from the reservation, any spill would completely destroy their water supply. The Missouri River constitutes their sole source of water. (Source)
• The tribe claims that the Army Corps of Engineers failed to include them in the planning process of the Pipeline as is legally required by federal law. Federal law states that

"regulations require Federal agencies to consult with Indian tribes when they attach religious and cultural significance to a historic property regardless of the location of that property” (Source)

• On the other hand, the US Army Corps of Engineers claims that it followed all due process.
• The company itself also maintains that the pipeline will be completely safe, and that it will be built to the highest standard and with the latest technology available.

(Source)
(Source)

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Recent Events

• Protesters have been camping out at sacred sites in Cannon Ball, North Dakota for months. While originally only a handful, the number of protesters has grown substantially in recent weeks and now there are hundreds. These protesters are native americans from all over the country, as well as human rights and environmental activists.
  

  
  Camp of Protestors near Cannon Ball, ND - Source

• The Standing Rock Sioux sued the Army Corps of Engineers in July on the basis that their right to be consulted and included in planning had not been observed. The presiding judge, James Boasberg, ruled today that the tribe had not proved that the Army Crops of Engineers erred in its practices.

Protesters against the Dakota Access Pipeline - Source

• Just hours ago, the US Department of Justice issued a statement that request the Corps of Engineers to temporarily halt all construction of the pipeline around Lake Oahe and anywhere within 20 miles of the area. However, this is only a small portion of the pipeline, and as of midnight tonight Dakota Access will be free to continue construction elsewhere. (Source) You can read the whole statement here.
• Tensions have started to boil over. On 9/3/2016, Dakota Access construction crew plowed through two locations that had the day before been identified by the tribe as sacred sites. When protesters tried to prevent the desecration, things got out of hand. The local sheriff's department are saying that the protestors escalated the situation and injured multiple private security guards and dogs, while the protestors say that a number of them were bitten and sprayed with pepper spray. You can see what happened for yourself in the video below. (Source)

Standing Rock Sioux Chairman David Archambault II called for calm and continued peaceful protest.

The pipeline threatens our sacred lands and the health of 17 million people who rely upon the Missouri River for water,” he said. “There is a lot at stake with the court decision tomorrow (referring to their attempt to halt construction of the pipeline). We call upon all water protectors to greet any decision with peace and order. Even if the outcome of the court’s ruling is not in our favor, we will continue to explore every lawful option and fight against the construction of the pipeline. Any act of violence hurts our cause and is not welcome here. We invite all supporters to join us in prayer that, ultimately, the right decision—the moral decision—is made to protect our people, our sacred places, our land and our resources. (Source)

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The Silver Lining

While the actions taken by the US government and Dakota Access LLC have been upsetting to say the least, the publicity these events have won for Native Americans across the country is a silver lining. The whole country is watching to see how the government will handle this, and Dakota Access can do nothing without facing the judgment of the entire nation. It has also helped to unite a people who have been oppressed and actively subjugated for the past 200 years. As Archambault says,

We have maintained our culture. We’ve maintained our way of life. We’ve maintained our dignity. We’re still here. (Source)

David Archambaut II, Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux - Source

That does not sound like a people ready to give up. And maybe, hopefully, this could lead to a future where the people of the United States stand hand in hand with Native Americans across the country to demand they be treated with the respect they deserve. And America might just learn something when that happens.

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I believe that it is our duty as citizens to stand with the Standing Rock Sioux. Most of us may not be Native American, or even be particularly affected by the Dakota Access Pipeline. It might even be beneficial to some people. But it is times like these that I think about the poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Source

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Sources

-https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/showdown-over-oil-pipeline-becomes-a-national-movement-for-native-americans/2016/09/06/ea0cb042-7167-11e6-8533-6b0b0ded0253_story.html

• https://www.rt.com/usa/358846-dakota-pipeline-judge-ruling/
• http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/09/493280504/judge-rules-that-construction-can-proceed-on-dakota-access-pipeline
• http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/dapl-dakota-sitting-rock-sioux/499178/
• http://www.achp.gov/regs-tribes.html
• https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/joint-statement-department-justice-department-army-and-department-interior-regarding-standing
• http://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-rule-today-dakota-access-pipeline-case-protests/story?id=41973080