The struggle over the Dakota Access Pipeline reflects the indigenous struggles for sovereignty and survival in the history of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Notably, these people were initially highly decentralized. The Fort Laramie treaty in 1868 reduced the tribe’s land to the state line of South Dakota in the west and the east of Missouri River. The tribe considers the Black Hills a sacred land, which is located in the middle of their territory. Five years after the treaty, gold was discovered in the Black Hills, and the government wished to exploit it ("History"). Therefore, the tribe was negotiated into renting or selling their lands. However, Sitting Bull, their spiritual leader, declined the offers. It led to a series of negotiations …show more content…
However, the U.S. was able to coerce surrender under the 1877 Agreement where it gained the Black Hills from the Sioux tribes. The government also broke another treaty with their division of the Great Sioux Reservation into five smaller reservations while attempting to accommodate whites. The tribe has therefore demonstrated persistent efforts to maintain the sovereignty of their lands. Besides, the U.S. has also broken most of its treaties.
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a project to be constructed through four states. Moreover, from a global perspective we can see that colonialism was in many ways the progenitor of modernity. (McCarty 95) One of the routes near the state capital Bismarck was perceived to pose high risks to the water supplies. Therefore, the route was changed, so it passes near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The tribe is highly against the idea of constructing the pipeline under Lake Oahe and the Missouri River. As a result, the protest grew to stop the project, which the group sees it might salvage the remaining water supply for Standing Rock Reservation. The project is worth …show more content…
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe rightfully owns the land through an agreement with the government. Besides, the area means a lot to them based on its cultural and spiritual weights. Therefore, for the government to forcefully continue their operations, it would be a violation of their treaty and disrespect for their cultural foundation. The tribe needs to preserve their natural identity while it does so legally in their land. Second, the Tribe stands for environmental justice with its emphasis on stopping the project. The pipeline project poses future consequences to their land and their only source of water, River Missouri. Since one region was spared in consideration of environmental factors, Dakota should also be spared. Preceding with the operations in spite the major protests may be viewed as discrimination of the minority Tribe. The tribe has already undergone difficult times after the reconstruction of Missouri River. They understand the impact of such projects on the environment. Besides, there is evidence of the danger posed by pipelines in different regions in the United States. Therefore, more alternatives should be sought to spare the Standing Rock