Lecture Notes: The Struggle Against the Dakota Access Pipeline

Introduction

• The modern era is marked by the sixth great extinction, driven by corporate greed, political corruption, and state-sanctioned violence.
• Fossil fuel dependency is prevalent, with state and corporate powers merging to control remaining oil reserves.
• Indigenous history and human fate are under threat from corporate oil extraction.
• A prophecy among Indigenous people speaks of a 'black snake' that will come, which they relate to oil pipelines.

Historical Context

• In the 18th century, colonial powers extracted resources, notably oil, from new territories.
• Treaties made with Indigenous peoples, such as the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, were consistently broken.
• The Lakota lands were flooded in the 1940s by U.S. projects, erasing cultural sites.

Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)

• The DAPL was set to run under the Missouri River, threatening sacred sites and water supplies for Indigenous tribes.
• The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and allies opposed the pipeline without a proper environmental impact study.
• The pipeline was referred to as the 'black snake' in Indigenous prophecy.

Resistance and Direct Actions

• 2016 saw the formation of the Sacred Stone Camp as a hub for resistance.
• Indigenous leaders and allies engaged in prayer, protests, and legal challenges to protect their lands.
• Despite legal and physical opposition, the U.S. approved pipeline construction.

Key Events in the Resistance

• Water protectors conducted prayerful demonstrations and direct actions.
• Security firms and militarized police responded with violence against protestors.
• Private security used dogs and pepper spray during construction site confrontations.
• The UN recognized the threat to sacred sites and called for a halt to construction.
• Protesters faced legal battles, arrests, and violent suppression by law enforcement.

Environmental and Legal Implications

• There were several incidents of pipeline leaks, supporting environmental concerns.
• Lawsuits and legal injunctions were filed, drawing attention to treaty rights and environmental justice.

Legacy and Continuing Impact

• The resistance delayed the pipeline, increased costs, and ignited global awareness.
• The struggle showcased the power of Indigenous-led movements and alliances.
• The phrase "Mni Wiconi", meaning "Water is Life", became symbolic of the movement’s ethos.
• Future fossil fuel projects face increased scrutiny and opposition.

Conclusion

• The movement against DAPL highlights the intersection of environmental protection and Indigenous rights.
• The campaign against the pipeline serves as a model for future environmental and social justice struggles.