After a long and hard fight against the completion of the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe finally breathed a sigh of relief when President Obama ordered construction to be halted near their reservation. According to The New York Times , the Department of the Army assured the tribe and protesters that they would seek alternative routes. If the $3.8 million oil pipeline, which will stretch for 1,172 miles, had been completed as originally planned, it would run under the Missouri River. Any potential leak in the pipe would result in contaminated water, which could prove deadly to the already struggling Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.
The past few months have been fragile and tumultuous in Standing Rock, North Dakota. The Huffington Post reported that thousands of activists and protestors, self-proclaimed “water protectors,” flocked to the reservation to prevent the pipeline from being built. Even prominent people such as Shailene Woodley and Jill Stein stood in solidarity with the natives and activists.
Students here at Temple voiced their support over the victory. Many believe that President Obama made the right decision by halting construction and encouraging alternate routes despite the expenses and delays. Tanjeen Twinkle, a freshman journalism major, agreed with the protestors: “…the pipeline shouldn’t be built because it’s invading Native Americans’ property and…will destroy [their] heritage.” Another freshman journalism major, Taylor Horn, also voiced her agreement: “The pipeline cuts through sacred Native American land, which they don’t have a lot of…if the pipeline broke, then all of the water in the area would be ruined.” It’s clear that the pipeline’s desired path will definitely cause Native Americans to further suffer at the expense of the U.S. government’s plans.
Many activists were arrested in Morton County over the weeks as protests became more disruptive. Tensions continued to rise when a crude bomb went off on a nearby bridge. Despite this small step-back, their cause and widespread support finally caused the government to buckle under the pressure; it simply was not right to further oppress a group that has suffered since the first proclamation of a “New World.” in the 1400s. This success is an unusual occurrence, because rarely in our history have Native Americans actually protected their own land from the U.S. government. Their extensive history of oppression and cultural destruction reflected in the wearied faces of the Sioux tribe as they raised their signs that proclaimed, “Water is life!” and “Stop DAPL!” Resilience and faith finally paid off, because the pipeline’s construction is currently on pause for rerouting.
The Sioux tribe was elated. Tribal members celebrated with loud whoops and enthusiastic drumming. Horses in full tribal costume were paraded around the site as people rejoiced at the news. They let themselves fall into celebration by embracing their heritage, something that they fight so hard to preserve everyday.
Unfortunately, this small yet momentous victory seems to be getting more fragile with each passing day. Some people are holding back celebrations because they’re uneasy of the future. The loom of president-elect Trump and his administration come January will threaten to unravel President Obama and the protestors’ efforts.
Trump’s investment in Energy Transfer Partners, the company responsible for building the pipeline, seems to be fueling his opposition to Obama’s decision. Despite his vehement denial of being predisposed to the company and half-hearted words of support to the protestors, Trump’s public beliefs suggest otherwise. He fully supports the completion of the pipeline in favor of “promoting policies that benefit all Americans.” But I guess we’ll see what happens when he steps into the Oval Office.
Whatever the case, let’s hope for the best for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in the following months. Recall the fact that Native Americans have never felt a true sense of belonging in this country, since the arrival of European explorers in the days of Christopher Columbus. It’s almost 2017; it’s time to take things into perspective and realize that enough is enough.