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[Media]

Over 250 Tribe Now in Attendance. 20+ protesters have been arrested and denied bail and access to their lawyers. Reason cited by police is that the lawyers, being native lawyers, are not licensed to practice law by the state of North Dakota, which is fucking bullshit.

Why is the media not talking about this?



Newest information is listed at the bottom of OP. Links to donate and how to support the cause under the September 7th Update.

People are calling it the largest gathering of Natives in protest in history.

Since becoming the leader of about 9,000 people in 2013, Archambault has sought to improve housing, health care, employment, education and other grim realities that his 2.3 million-acre reservation that straddles the North and South Dakota border and reservations nationwide face.

Now, he's dealing with added pressure of the pipeline, which he has called yet another "historic wrong" involving tribal sovereignty and land rights.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe sued federal regulators for approving the pipeline, challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to grant permits. The company has temporarily halted construction, and a federal judge will rule before Sept. 9 on whether that break will last.

Archambault and others also have been sued by Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners for interfering with the pipeline, which will pass through Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Former North Dakota U.S. Attorney Tim Purdon, who is representing Archambault and other tribal leaders in that suit, told The Associated Press that it's nothing more than an attempt to silence the tribal leader.

"I think they think he is a voice for the people that no one can control," Purdon said. "From the first day I met him, I could tell he is a very serious person who really has the best interests of his people — and the people of North Dakota — at heart. What I see now is the same thing: He is focused on what he believes is best."

Archambault has for years spoke of concerns among the leaders of North Dakota's five American Indian reservations about "the increasing number of environmental incidents" in western North Dakota's oil patch — far from his own territory. He appealed to lawmakers to do more to protect public safety and the environment.

That was before his tribe was aware of the Dakota Access pipeline, for which developers have promised safeguards, noting that workers monitoring the pipeline remotely in Texas could stop any leak within three minutes.

It's not enough for Archambault, who worries a breach would destroy sacred sites and ancestral burial grounds well beyond the reservation's boundaries.

"Anything that is man-made is going to come apart," he said, pointing to a 2013 spill in northwestern North Dakota that was among the largest inland spills in North America. It was discovered only after a farmer got his tractor stuck in the muck while harvesting wheat; it's only half cleaned up, despite crews working around the clock since it happened, state health officials say.

On a recent afternoon, Monte Lovejoy, a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, embraced Archambault and thanked him.

"I really couldn't afford to come up here," he told Archambault, whom he'd never met before. "But I really couldn't afford not to, for my kids and for my people."

What the BBC has to say about it.

An Indian reservation in North Dakota is the site of the largest gathering of Native Americans in more than 100 years. Indigenous people from across the US are living in camps on the Standing Rock reservation as they protest the construction of a new oil pipeline. As a result, a new community has emerged. The BBC's Charlie Northcott went to North Dakota to meet the protesters and discover what goes on in camp.

Basically, tribes from all over are gathering in order to stop this pipeline from being created, as it could effect the lands and waters of tons of people. It has a 'last stand' feel to it, and 30 some people have already been arrested.

As always, I find it troubling that such a huge protest isn't being covered by the media like smaller protests. I imagine most people don't even know this is occurring.

There have apparently been attacks on the protestors by the company's security guards too:

Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Calls for Investigation of Dog Attacks on Native American Protesters (Warning, dog bite pictures at link)

On Saturday in North Dakota, security guards working for the Dakota Access pipeline company attacked Native Americans with dogs and pepper spray as they resisted the $3.8 billion pipeline’s construction on a tribal burial site. On Sunday, more than 500 people marched back to the construction site and held a prayer, mourning the destruction of their ancestors’ graves. Now, later today, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., will decide whether to grant a temporary restraining order to halt temporarily further construction of the Dakota Access pipeline in the area near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. For more on the standoff at Standing Rock, we’re joined by Dave Archambault, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Video of the attacks Video was taken on the 3rd, since then, the protest has grown.

September 7th:

LINK TO DONATE TO THE CAUSE:

I was looking for where I could show them some support and I found this.

http://standingrock.org/

PLEASE do what you can to spread this around as much as possible. Maybe a massive social media campaign will get reporters out there to make sure these people aren't being attacked and hurt for protesting.

A blog of someone who is there:

Ah, I was wondering how long before this got noticed. If you're interested in stories from on the ground, this is a blog by somebody who's actually there.

http://freethoughtblogs.com/affinity/

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

Protesters at Standing Rock are in need of supplies, including pots, pans, utensils, blankets, non-perishable food, tents, batteries, and drinking water.
You can find an entire list of needs here. Supplies may be sent to the following address:
Bldg #1, N. Standing Rock Ave
PO Box D
Fort Yates ND, 58538

You can also donate to the DAPL Fund on their site to help with supplies and legal defense.

You may also adapt the sample letter here for the use of your organization to support the efforts of #NoDAPL and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Call North Dakota governor Jack Dalrymple at (701) 328-2200. You can leave a message stating your thoughts.

Call the White House at (202) 465-1414.

Sign the petition to the White House to stop the DAPL.

Lastly, do not let news of this be drowned out by the theater of national politics. Regardless of who is elected, this $3.8 billion project will want to advance.

September 8:

ND Governor Activates National Guard Ahead of Friday's Pipeline Ruling

In North Dakota, Governor Jack Dalrymple has activated the National Guard ahead of Friday’s ruling on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s lawsuit against the U.S. government over the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline. On Friday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg will rule on an injunction in the lawsuit, which is challenging the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to issue permits for the pipeline, arguing it violates the National Historic Preservation Act.
...
On Thursday, Governor Jack Dalrymple said the National Guard will be deployed Friday to a checkpoint along Highway 1806. As many as 100 additional Guardsmen from the 191st Military Police Company will be on standby and could be deployed at any moment.

September 9:

Judge won't block construction of Dakota Access Pipeline
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/dakota-pipeline-ruling-1.3754964

In Washington, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg rejected the tribe's request for a temporary injunction in a 58-page ruling.

In his ruling, Boasberg said "the court does not lightly countenance any depredation of lands that hold significance to the Standing Rock Sioux." He said "the court scrutinizes the permitting process here with particular care. Having done so, the court must nonetheless conclude that the tribe has not demonstrated that an injunction is warranted here."

Government Steps in, Halts Construction:

Mentioned in the other thread, but the Feds have stopped construction pending review.

“We appreciate the District Court’s opinion on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. However, important issues raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations and their members regarding the Dakota Access pipeline specifically, and pipeline-related decision-making generally, remain. Therefore, the Department of the Army, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior will take the following steps.

The Army will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access pipeline on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it can determine whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal laws. Therefore, construction of the pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time. The Army will move expeditiously to make this determination, as everyone involved — including the pipeline company and its workers — deserves a clear and timely resolution. In the interim, we request that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe.

“Furthermore, this case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure projects. Therefore, this fall, we will invite tribes to formal, government-to-government consultations on two questions: (1) within the existing statutory framework, what should the federal government do to better ensure meaningful tribal input into infrastructure-related reviews and decisions and the protection of tribal lands, resources, and treaty rights; and (2) should new legislation be proposed to Congress to alter that statutory framework and promote those goals.

“Finally, we fully support the rights of all Americans to assemble and speak freely. We urge everyone involved in protest or pipeline activities to adhere to the principles of nonviolence. Of course, anyone who commits violent or destructive acts may face criminal sanctions from federal, tribal, state, or local authorities. The Departments of Justice and the Interior will continue to deploy resources to North Dakota to help state, local, and tribal authorities, and the communities they serve, better communicate, defuse tensions, support peaceful protest, and maintain public safety.

“In recent days, we have seen thousands of demonstrators come together peacefully, with support from scores of sovereign tribal governments, to exercise their First Amendment rights and to voice heartfelt concerns about the environment and historic, sacred sites. It is now incumbent on all of us to develop a path forward that serves the broadest public interest.”

September 13:
Construction continues despite feds. Riot cops on scene.

 

[HStallion]

This story has been fucked from day 1. I really hope this starts getting more traction but it sadly seems no one cares about the indigenous population in the scheme of things.

 

[Lambtron]

I'm aware of this because of the breathless blog posts by the local fuckface conservative blogger who has a job at the largest newspaper in the state constantly talking about how they're violent thugs.

 

[excelsiorlef]

There are storied out there of private security unleashing attack dogs that are attacking and biting protester. Private security also pepper spraying en masse.

 

[Tonedeff]

Holy shit at that before and after pic

 

[HStallion]

I'm aware of this because of the breathless blog posts by the local fuckface conservative blogger who has a job at the largest newspaper in the state constantly talking about how they're violent thugs.

Thug is basically becoming the catch all phrase for calling minorities a racial slur without having to actually say whatever the corresponding slur is.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

that before/after pic is some fern gully shit. so sad :/

i really wish we could do something collectively to move past our dependence on oil.

 

[excelsiorlef]

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/09/oil...esting-pipeline-through-their-burial-grounds/

Here's a story on it.

 

[Lambtron]

Thug is basically becoming the catch all phrase for calling minorities a racial slur without having to actually say whatever the corresponding slur is.

Yep! He's straight from Conservative Talker central casting.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Jandro styling on em..

 

[Media]

There are storied out there of private security unleashing attack dogs that are attacking and biting protester. Private security also pepper spraying en masse.

Yep, I edited in the video from Sept 3rd showing the dogs attacking protesters and horses, and the pepper spraying. The company people were straight up shoving protesters too. It's insane.

It's going to get worse. I am hearing a lot more people are heading up there, from as far south as New Mexico.

 

[Slayven]

Goddamn shame

 

[Waddle Dee]

Not terribly surprised this is getting little attention from news outlets. Seems like this is a losing battle, unfortunately. When the power-hungry are set on something, they'll see it through.

 

[zer0blivion]

Canine Expert Decries "Egregious" & "Horrific" Dog Attacks on Native Americans Defending Burial Site
http://www.democracynow.org/2016/9/6/canine_expert_decries_egregious_horrific_dog

On Saturday in North Dakota, security guards working for the Dakota Access pipeline company attacked Native Americans with dogs and pepper spray as they resisted the $3.8 billion pipeline's construction on a tribal burial site. As the video of Saturday's action went viral, people immediately began comparing the dog attacks at Standing Rock to the violent crackdown against African-American protesters during the civil rights movement. For more on the dog attacks at Saturday's protest, we speak with Jonni Joyce. She's an expert in law enforcement canine handling with more than 25 years of experience. She is the head of the consulting firm Jonni Joyce Seminars, International in South Dakota.

 

[Media]

Not terribly surprised this is getting little attention from news outlets. Seems like this is a losing battle, unfortunately. When the power-hungry are set on something, they'll see it through.

I've found it's very hard to drum up outrage for Natives unless it's something like a sports mascot. People will get upset about that, but about stuff like this, it's only silence. It's kinda disturbing to me.

I feel like most people think Native's don't actually exist anymore.

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

Holy shit at that before and after pic

Seriously. Greed is some shit.

 

[NimbusD]

This would be something actually awesome to get the whole social media mobs attention, but native americans never really get that sort of attention do they? This is so fucked.

 

[commedieu]

Good.


Fuck oil companies and their poisoning ass water asses.

 

[zethren]

That before and after photo is sickening.

Best of luck to a peaceful protest on this, because that is disgusting in all fronts.

 

[HStallion]

This would be something actually awesome to get the whole social media mobs attention, but native americans never really get that sort of attention do they? This is so fucked.

I wish some major athlete would sit down during the National Anthem to bring some light to this to the masses. Of course some people will miss the point but any attention on this would be better than just letting it slide by under the radar.

 

[iPaul93]

Disgusting.The company should gtfo.

 

[Lambtron]

Just to ensure it's clear how fucked this all is: the person in charge of regulating oil companies here is also the person in charge of bringing them to the state to do business. This state is a shitshow.

 

[whyamihere]

Jesus christ at the dogs. I'm glad this is finally getting some play in the national media.

 

[Surfinn]

If I'm understanding it right, the land doesn't ACTUALLY look like that yet but it will if things continue to go the way they're going right? That's awful.

 

[Jimothy]

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/09/oil...esting-pipeline-through-their-burial-grounds/

Here's a story on it.

http://www.democracynow.org/2016/9/4/dakota_access_pipeline_company_attacks_native

I think I got an adrenaline rush when the protestors started fighting back against the dogs.

 

[Captin Quacker]

America rarely if ever gives a damn about native Americans

 

[Media]

If I'm understanding it right, the land doesn't ACTUALLY look like that yet but it will if things continue to go the way they're going right? That's awful.

Yes, that's correct. The picture is an example of what stuff like this can do to land.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

America rarely if ever gives a damn about native Americans

Nope..

 

[shira]

ayyy, fuck that shit

 

[Captin Quacker]

Nope..

Wellthereitis.jpg

 

[Media]

Nope..

I mean, when Colbert tried to highlight how absurd it was to ignore Native issues with an Asian example, people were upset over the example, not to initial issue. So....Yeah, nope.

 

[Kthulhu]

Fuck that shit. Hope the pipeline doesn't go through.

 

[victreeb3l]

That before / after pic is horrible :/

 

[Aikidoka]

They've already bulldozed some burial grounds right? This is pretty atrocious.

 

[Waddle Dee]

I've found it's very hard to drum up outrage for Natives unless it's something like a sports mascot. People will get upset about that, but about stuff like this, it's only silence. It's kinda disturbing to me.

I feel like most people think Native's don't actually exist anymore.

As terrifying as that sounds... I think that's the case. If you don't have many Native Americans living in your area, where are you going to hear about them? The news never covers their struggles and the're very few note worthy Native American celebrities.

 

[Surfinn]

Nope..

Can you extrapolate on that?

 

[m3k]

this shit is so sad... i saw them sicking dogs on people

i havent read the whole story but its one of those images that never looks right

 

[Media]

They've already bulldozed some burial grounds right? This is pretty atrocious.

Yes.

As terrifying as that sounds... I think that's the case. If you don't have many Native Americans living in your area, where are you going to hear about them? The news never covers their struggles and the're very few note worthy Native American celebrities.

Yeah, I really feel like this is the case. There have even been articles written by Native women about how people refuse to believe they are native; because they aren't running around in skins and beads, they are 'pretending'. Never mind that '100%pure' Natives likely don't exist anymore. I'm Navajo and most people think I'm Mexican. It's easier to believe that Native's no longer exist than to worry about the issues they face.

 

[Zach]

Oof.

 

[Media]

Another story on this:

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/11865978

The absence of Standing Rock from our collective conversations is troubling on its own terms, as this is a huge and compelling American story. It’s also a story that links to many other significant issues: from debates over energy policy to the movement against police brutality, the history of Native American sovereignty and land rights to 21st century social media and hashtag activism.

 

[therealjay]

It's crazy living in Northern Virginia and Washington DC most of my life but I don't think I've ever met a native american.

Almost brings a tear to the eye. There they are basically down to the last man trying to do everyone a huge fucking favor.

What a travesty. Jesus.

 

[Reverend Funk]

Alright this is making me pretty mad

 

[pr0cs]

What a surprise that image is regurgitated as nauseam. The pictures are from two totally different areas but hay, par for the course when it comes to environment issues right? Truth be damned if it doesn't fit what we're selling.
Left image original
http://garthlenz.photoshelter.com/image/I0000lgjvHUYR67U

Right image original
http://www.saidthegramophone.com/images/tar_sands_ex_-37-1-thumb.jpg

 

[Trojita]

On Saturday in North Dakota, security guards working for the Dakota Access pipeline company attacked Native Americans with dogs and pepper spray as they resisted the $3.8 billion pipeline's construction on a tribal burial site.

These "guards" should be in prison.

 

[Media]

What a surprise that image is regurgitated as nauseam. The pictures are from two totally different areas but hay, par for the course when it comes to environment issues right? Truth be damned if it doesn't fit what we're selling.

If the image is wrong I'll remove it, but if that is your takeaway from the entire thread, I'm sorry

 

[lightskintwin]

As terrifying as that sounds... I think that's the case. If you don't have many Native Americans living in your area, where are you going to hear about them? The news never covers their struggles and the're very few note worthy Native American celebrities.

Agreed. I don't think I've ever met a Native American, but I do know the amount of people who claim they have Native American descent is off the charts. LOL I swear it feels like almost everybody I meet (White and Black) claim they gotta a lil' American Indian in them.

 

[Fuchsdh]

The articles don't really go much into the actual legality. From what I can tell, everything's kosher, and they aren't going through actual reservation land, not that any pollution outside their borders will magically respect tribal sovereignty. The BBC and ABC articles are painfully unhelpful with regards to what grounds they have besides making a fuss.

I've found it's very hard to drum up outrage for Natives unless it's something like a sports mascot. People will get upset about that, but about stuff like this, it's only silence. It's kinda disturbing to me.

I feel like most people think Native's don't actually exist anymore.

They're 0.5% of the population; they pretty much don't exist insofar as being a group with any sort of political clout, and the reservations are separated from the surrounding towns in most cases, so that just reinforces the isolation and lack of coverage.

A lot of people don't even realize there are still native reservations on the east coast, it's not just these giant ones out west.

 

[GutsOfThor]

America rarely if ever gives a damn about native Americans

This is the sad truth. Native Americans truly are the forgotten people of this country.

Was pretty shocked there was not a thread about this earlier.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Can you extrapolate on that?

What can I explain better than our history books? Unless you're from Australia, in which case, Google it..

 

[Media]

The articles don't really go much into the actual legality. From what I can tell, everything's kosher, and they aren't going through actual reservation land, not that any pollution outside their borders will magically respect tribal sovereignty. The BBC and ABC articles are painfully unhelpful with regards to what grounds they have besides making a fuss.



They're 0.5% of the population; they pretty much don't exist insofar as being a group with any sort of political clout, and the reservations are separated from the surrounding towns in most cases, so that just reinforces the isolation and lack of coverage.

A lot of people don't even realize there are still native reservations on the east coast, it's not just these giant ones out west.

Yeah, I wish there was more detail. Of course everything is likely kosher legally, because the laws sorta don't protect these areas as they should. I think is kinda like what happened at Oak Flat: the land wasn't technically on a reservation, but it had been protected as a national park until some legal shenanigans happened.

Plus, given the water the pipes cross is the source of water for the res, it's something they are concerned about.

And it's hard for me to realize that people can go their whole lives without seeing a native. Where I live currently has a huge native population, a lot of my social circles are natives, etc. Even being Navajo living in the PNW I've been pretty much accepted into the population up here. It's why I'm constantly in disbelief that stuff like this doesn't get more media attention; after all everyone I know is talking about it.