The Dakota Access Pipeline: A Scar on Sacred Land, A Spark for Indigenous Resistance
CANNON BALL, NORTH DAKOTA – The earth here bears witness to an ancient history, etched into the rolling plains and the serpentine flow of the Missouri River. But in recent years, a new, stark line has been drawn across this landscape: the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). An underground artery stretching 1,172 miles from the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota to Illinois, DAPL has become more than just an infrastructure project; it is a profound symbol of the clash between corporate energy interests, indigenous sovereignty, and the global fight for environmental justice.
For the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (SRST) and their allies, the pipeline represents a "black snake" – a destructive force prophesied to bring harm to their people and the land. Its construction ignited one of the most significant indigenous-led resistance movements of the 21st century, drawing thousands to the windswept prairies of North Dakota. Five years after the most intense confrontations, the pipeline continues to operate, but the echoes of the struggle, and the unresolved questions of justice and sovereignty, resonate more powerfully than ever.
The Route and the Reckoning
The genesis of the conflict lies in the pipeline’s chosen route. Initially, Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), the company behind DAPL, considered a path north of Bismarck, North Dakota’s capital. However, concerns about potential impacts on Bismarck’s water supply and residential areas led to that route being rejected. Instead, the pipeline was rerouted south, directly adjacent to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, crossing under Lake Oahe, a dammed section of the Missouri River that serves as the tribe’s sole source of drinking water.
For the Standing Rock Sioux, this decision was not merely an oversight; it was a deeply ingrained pattern of environmental racism and disregard for indigenous rights. "They rerouted it away from Bismarck because of the risk to their water," explained Dave Archambault II, who was Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe during the height of the protests. "But when it comes to our water, our sacred lands, our treaty rights, suddenly the risk is acceptable. This is a pattern we’ve seen throughout history."
The tribe argued vehemently that the pipeline threatened their primary water source, a potential rupture posing catastrophic consequences. Furthermore, the route traversed ancestral lands and sacred sites, including burial grounds and areas of cultural significance, in direct violation of the 1851 and 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties. These treaties, though often ignored, established the boundaries and rights of the Great Sioux Nation.
"Mni Wiconi": Water is Life
What began as a local tribal protest quickly transformed into a global movement. In April 2016, the SRST established the Sacred Stone Camp, later joined by the larger Oceti Sakowin Camp, becoming a vibrant hub for "Water Protectors." Thousands of indigenous people representing hundreds of tribes from across North America and beyond converged, united by the rallying cry "Mni Wiconi" – Water is Life. They were joined by environmental activists, veterans, celebrities, and human rights advocates, creating a temporary city of tipis, tents, and trailers, all centered around prayer and peaceful resistance.
The camps became a powerful testament to indigenous resilience and cultural resurgence. Daily ceremonies, prayer walks, and intertribal gatherings underscored the spiritual core of the movement. Elder Mekasi Horinek Camp, a member of the Ponca Nation and a prominent figure in the camps, reflected on the profound unity. "It was like nothing I’d ever seen. All these different nations, putting aside historical differences, standing together for one common cause: to protect our water, our land, and our future generations."
Escalation and Confrontation
As construction neared Lake Oahe in late 2016, the confrontations intensified. Private security forces hired by ETP, and later state and local law enforcement, met the peaceful protectors with increasingly aggressive tactics. Instances of attack dogs being used against demonstrators, tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons deployed in sub-freezing temperatures shocked the world, though often with delayed and fragmented media coverage.
Over 700 arrests were made during the months-long standoff, with many facing felony charges that were later dismissed or reduced. Journalists covering the events also faced arrests and charges, raising concerns about press freedom. The state of North Dakota spent tens of millions of dollars on law enforcement and security operations, transforming a peaceful protest into a militarized zone. The imagery of unarmed water protectors facing armed police in riot gear became a defining visual of the struggle.
Legal and Political Tug-of-War
The legal battle unfolded simultaneously, a complex dance between federal agencies, tribal governments, and corporate interests. Under the Obama administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for issuing the crucial easement for the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe, initially delayed the permit and eventually called for an environmental impact statement (EIS). This was seen as a major victory for the Standing Rock Sioux, a temporary halt to the "black snake."
However, this victory was short-lived. Just days after taking office in January 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order expediting DAPL’s approval. The Army Corps swiftly reversed its decision, granting the easement without a full EIS. Construction resumed, and the pipeline became operational in June 2017.
The legal fight continued, however. The SRST, represented by Earthjustice, pressed forward with lawsuits challenging the pipeline’s permits, arguing that the environmental review was inadequate and violated federal law. In July 2020, a federal judge ordered the pipeline to shut down and be emptied, citing the Army Corps’ failure to conduct a sufficient EIS. This ruling, hailed as a monumental victory, was quickly appealed by ETP and overturned by an appeals court, allowing the pipeline to continue operating while the environmental review process played out.
As of early 2024, the pipeline remains operational. The Army Corps of Engineers completed a new, more comprehensive EIS in late 2023, acknowledging significant impacts on the tribe but ultimately proposing that the pipeline’s federal easement be reinstated, albeit with potential new conditions. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe continues to challenge this, underscoring the enduring nature of their fight.
The Enduring Impact
The Dakota Access Pipeline has left an indelible mark on Standing Rock and the broader indigenous rights movement.
- Environmental Concerns: Despite ETP’s assurances, the pipeline has experienced multiple leaks and spills since becoming operational, including spills in South Dakota and near the pipeline’s path in North Dakota. While ETP maintains these are minor and contained, for the SRST, each incident reinforces their initial fears about the pipeline’s inherent risks to their water supply and the surrounding environment.
- Cultural Trauma and Surveillance: The intense confrontations and the continued operation of the pipeline over sacred sites have inflicted deep cultural and psychological trauma on the community. Many residents report ongoing surveillance, a chilling reminder of the battle. The experience has also strained tribal resources, diverted from essential services to legal battles and advocacy.
- A Catalyst for Indigenous Sovereignty: Despite the pipeline’s operation, the Standing Rock movement undeniably invigorated indigenous resistance globally. It shone a spotlight on treaty rights, environmental justice, and the disproportionate impact of fossil fuel infrastructure on marginalized communities. It inspired subsequent movements against other pipelines, such as Keystone XL and Line 3, and fostered greater intertribal solidarity. "Standing Rock was a spark," said Chase Iron Eyes, an attorney and activist from the SRST. "It showed the world that indigenous people are still here, still fighting for our land, our water, and our inherent rights."
- Media and Social Justice: The movement also highlighted the power of social media and grassroots reporting in circumventing mainstream media narratives, bringing the story to a global audience. It forced a conversation about the ethics of energy development and the imperative to listen to frontline communities.
The Dakota Access Pipeline stands as a complex legacy. It is a stark reminder of corporate power and governmental indifference, a physical manifestation of a "black snake" that continues to pump oil through contested lands. Yet, it is also a powerful testament to the unwavering spirit of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their allies – a beacon of resistance that continues to inspire. The physical pipeline may be built, but the fight for justice, for sacred water, and for the recognition of indigenous sovereignty, remains very much alive. The earth may be scarred, but the spirit of the Water Protectors remains unbroken.
