​The original crossing of the Missouri was to be north of Bismarck

In case the North Dakota governor’s office has not figured it out yet, someone needs to tell them what an embarrassment they are. The Dalrymple-Wrigley team could not mishandle the Standing Rock protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline more than they already have, short of deploying the National Guard.

In our America it’s a fundamental right to stand up and voice disagreement with government. These rights are guaranteed and protected: free speech, assembly, religion, and redress of grievances.

In our America, protections exist so as to not have a trampling of minority rights by a majority. The governor’s office has put countless people into a state of disadvantage and even risk. Mainstream media carry their water. Yet, world and even national human rights organizations have targeted our actions as inhumane and uncivil.

The processes by which the Dakota Access Pipeline was ultimately set to cross the Missouri River through sacred ground a stone’s throw north of Standing Rock Reservation disregarded fundamental protections of sacred grounds. Those processes also grossly misrepresented safety concerns raised by the tribes and others, in that documents show the original pipeline crossing of the Missouri was to be north of Bismarck. That plan was abandoned due to harm caused by any potential breach.

The reactions by North Dakota leadership lack compassion and marginalize a people time after time marginalized and disrespected.

We are all situated on what is historically and accurately known to be Indian Country. It is also a fact that treaty after treaty has been broken by privileged white people; this, of course, after the lands were taken through massacres and the introduction of disease.

Reservations on this land are something akin to concentration camps and even served as a model for Nazi Germany.

There’s something of a political movement in Our America recently, whereby people demand protective legislation for behavior and actions couched in the terms “religious freedom,” and often benefit.

Well, in that context, the spiritual beliefs of indigenous peoples should receive equal protection under the law. Honoring Mother Earth is fundamental, honoring water another example. Honoring sacred grounds and artifacts.

Oral histories with spiritual basis are part of this situation near Cannon Ball. The epic gathering of six dozen tribes and thousands of people is unprecedented. The convening of the seven Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota tribes is significant beyond measure. Dave Archambault’s fear of the Black Snake, aka oil pipeline, crossing Indian lands and foretelling the demise of the peoples, is ominous and frightening.

We can do better and we need to do better. The governor’s order closing highway 1806 escalated a peaceful and prayerful protest into a battle. Winona LaDuke, the White Earth activist and former vice presidential candidate, observed that the governor had blocked access to Standing Rock’s casino, injuring the tribe financially, perhaps intentionally. The shutting off of water supplies was inhumane and savage.

We commend law enforcement called to maintain peace, for showing caution and not overreacting during a few moments of unrest or threatening behavior by a select few protesters. Their safety is paramount and so is the safety of those assembling and speaking out about a government action that breaches treaties and puts Standing Rock and others downstream at incalculable risks.

Dakota Access Pipeline, in their lawsuit against members of the Standing Rock Sioux, made much of having a permit from, among others, the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

There is no Native American representation on this commission.

We agree with Mark Trahant, journalism professor at UND and member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes: “Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun, Standing Rock Sioux, is running for North Dakota’s Public Service Commission and Henry Red Cloud, Oglala Lakota, is a candidate for South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission. These are the state regulatory bodies that determine approval process for pipeline companies. One vote in each might not be enough to change the outcome, but one voice on each of those commissions could raise tribal concerns every single time an issue comes up.”

HPR does not typically endorse political candidates, but this time we’ll make an exception. Let’s level the playing field just a bit. Please vote for Hunte-Beaubrun and Red Cloud, and wish them well in their struggle to have Native American representation on regulatory commissions making decisions affecting their people.

It’s a shame the state that bears the name Dakota is blind to the wrongdoing and historic grief, the culture, traditions, and spirituality of our indigenous peoples. We owe them more than an apology: at the very least an equitable redress of grievances, and our honor and respect.

We stand with Standing Rock. We stand with our indigenous peoples. We call upon all of you to get on the right side of this issue if you’ve not already done so.

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