Oil pipeline crosses sacred tribal land

The route of the 1,168 mile long crude oil pipeline, which will transport nearly 570,000 barrels of oil each day from North Dakota to Illinois, crosses under Lake Oahe (sacred ground), just a half mile up from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

It could have irreparable harm to the tribe’s cultural, water, and natural resources. The tribe is waiting for a federal court decision on a preliminary injunction to stop the pipeline construction, the pipeline company is waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers to grant an easement to drill under Lake Oahe.

The administration must halt the issuance of an easement until the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe can have the opportunity to ensure the protection of its waters and sacred places. Many of us are surprised by the lack of media coverage.

I am a retired journalist. Our Northwest treaty tribes have sent delegations to Standing Rock. The tribe are so important to Northwest economy. But even more, we all need clean water!

This story was originally published September 5, 2016 at 6:36 AM with the headline "Oil pipeline crosses sacred tribal land."