Construction of the 1,170-mile Dakota Access Pipeline was officially approved by the U.S. federal government in Aug. 2016. Talks about the $3.7 billion project actually began back in 2014, but it remained outside of mainstream media coverage until recent weeks. It escalated particularly following the arrest of actress Shailene Woodley during an Oct. 10 protest at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation in North Dakota.
If constructed, it would carry oil from the Bakken Formation, one of the largest U.S. oil and natural gas deposits located at the border of Montana, North Dakota and Canada. In addition to North Dakota, it would transport oil to South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.
Controversy surrounds the pipeline’s construction due to both cultural and environmental concerns. The pipeline is set to cross just north of Standing Rock and plunges under a dammed section of the Missouri River, which is the tribe’s primary water source.
Therefore, a spill or break in the pipeline would pose imminent threats on the tribal community. Although the land is not owned by the tribe, it includes sacred burial grounds and significant cultural artifacts that are mercilessly being bulldozed.
The Editorial Board believes the pipeline would be only a continuation of the American tradition of imperialism and exploitation of indigenous peoples.
In the Oct. 13 issue of The News-Letter, the Editorial Board recognized the importance of Indigenous People’s Day to pay respect to the Native Americans that currently live in the United States and still face the same injustices their ancestors did hundreds of years ago.
While the government ignores these demands and fails to acknowledge the dark facts of the past, the Editorial Board supports efforts by Americans to finally ally themselves with the indigenous community and mobilize.
Politically, the pipeline represents a continuation of the federal government’s disastrous relations with the Native American community. The Editorial Board calls on the government to consider indigenous people’s demands and not look the other way.
Two weeks ago, the governor of North Dakota called on the National Guard to contain protesters in encampments around the reservation and construction sites. Following a narrative all too common, Native Americans are desperately fighting for the right to use their sacred lands, while the government quickly militarizes when the community shows signs of resistance.
Tension continues to build as construction of the pipeline moves forward and police have reacted with violence against protestors, something we are familiar with as residents of Baltimore. Over 400 protestors have been arrested since August.
The Editorial Board agrees that continuing the construction of the pipeline would further infringe on the rights of Native Americans, when the government should be working to mend these already tattered relationships. It is important that we ally ourselves with what little of the indigenous population remains and formally recognize their sovereignty.
The construction of the pipeline reinforces the country’s dependence on fossil fuels when we should be moving away from dirty energy. 21st century jobs will be in green energy, not pipeline construction.
The Editorial Board calls on students and members of the community to stand against DAPL and with indigenous protesters and their allies.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The News-Letter.