November, 16 2016, 10:45am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jennifer K. Falcon,,jennifer@ienearth.org
View from the Ground: Seven Days of DAPL Successes and Setbacks
Cannon Ball, North Dakota
The battle over the land through which the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) would span remains fully fledged as the unprecedented intertribal gathering at the encampments at Standing Rock continues its resistance to the $3.8 billion dollar Energy Transfer Partners and Enbridge project. Events over the past week revealed that the fight is far from over, and the tribes and their allies will continue to band together in their resistance to construction that would disturb sacred land and pollute water relied upon by local tribes.
Last week began with numerous actions from Water Protectors, from a Forgiveness and Prayer Walk to Mandan County Sheriff's Office, to the reclamation of Turtle Island along the Cannonball River. On Tuesday, Water Protectors limited access to a construction site at the Skunk River in Iowa, while the International Indigenous Youth Council led a 400+ person march in silent prayer to the Cannonball Bridge. Meanwhile, Norwegian Bank DNB announced its reconsideration of financial support of the pipeline, provided the Tribes' concerns remain unaddressed.
Dakota Access announced plans to drill under the Missouri River in the coming weeks, and 31 protectors were arrested during peaceful and prayerful action. A buffalo that resides in the Cannonball Ranch was also fenced off without access to water as a razor wire wall was built to sanction off the last stretch of construction.
Despite these setbacks, opposition to the project remains strong. On Veterans Day, veterans led a prayer march to Cannonball Bridge. This march was followed by an event led by the American Indian Movement, Black Lives Matter, Brown Berets, and LA RED PICO in which over 300 protectors gathered at the Mandan, ND site's entrance. However, a man in a white truck, reported to be a DAPL worker, barrelled his vehicle through the gathering, shot six live rounds, and reportedly pistol-whipped a protector.
The week was topped off with a #NoDAPL rally in Chicago, a candlelight vigil led by the International Indigenous Youth Council, and a visit from Neil Young at the Oceti Sakowin camp.
Established in 1990 within the United States, IEN was formed by grassroots Indigenous peoples and individuals to address environmental and economic justice issues (EJ). IEN's activities include building the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities.
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