Today, as the Standing Rock Nation continues to battle the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL), I invite you to take a look back at the origins of this movement. Perhaps you remember those fateful days in 2016 and 2017, when DAPL’s construction first threatened our sacred lands, we formed our prayer camps, and we sent our message to the world: “Mni wiconi, water is life!” 

Though the fully operational pipeline now crosses under the Missouri River, our battle is far from over. Tens of thousands of environmental justice heroes like you have already aided Standing Rock by flooding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with public comments contesting DAPL’s problematic draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Corps will also host two DAPL public hearings on Nov. 1 and 2, at the Radisson Hotel in Bismarck, N.D. from 6-9 p.m. CST. We’ll be there, and so will water protectors from around Turtle Island. We encourage you to watch the video streams on our social channels or attend and lend your voice if you can! 

Watch: Standing Rock’s NoDAPL leaders, including Lakota Law’s Phyllis Young, take you back to the origins of the movement.

As you’ll hear in the latest chapter of our Dakota Water Wars video series, we have always understood our mission as water and land defenders. We stand not only for ourselves but for our neighbors, ancestors, and future generations. Produced by the Lakota People’s Law Project in partnership with the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance and Standing Rock Nation, this video shares powerful remembrances and insights from many of my relatives who organized the camps and kickstarted this resistance.

As we near the Nov. 13 cut-off for submission of public comments, please continue to stand with Standing Rock. As our powerful women, energetic youth, and knowledgeable elders have shown us since they first organized our movement, we have enormous power together when we unite for justice. We’re grateful for every ounce of support, and we pray the federal government will ultimately listen and do the right thing.

Wopila tanka — thank you for your solidarity and action.
Chase Iron Eyes
Co-Director and Lead Counsel
The Lakota People’s Law Project

Lakota People’s Law Project
547 South 7th Street #149
Bismarck, ND 58504-5859

The Lakota People’s Law Project is part of the Romero Institute, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) law and policy center. All donations are tax-deductible.