
The Dakota Access Pipeline will not cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, it was announced Sunday in a stunning victory to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its supporters, who argued the project would threaten the tribe's water source and cultural sites.

The US Army Corps of Engineers will not grant an easement allowing the pipeline's construction half a mile south of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

Jo-Ellen Darcy, United States Assistant Secretary of the Army, said the federal agency will 'explore alternate routes' in an announcement that came just one day before the Corps was scheduled to cut off access to the protesters' camp.

Thousands of demonstrators at the Oceti Sakowin campsite erupted into cheers and cries of Mni Wiconi - 'Water is life' - went up from the crowd as the news spread.

Moments after the decision was announced, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council Chairman Harold Frazier told DailyMail.com that he was 'shocked' by the news.

The $3.8billion pipeline running through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois, is mostly complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, which protesters resisted for several months.

Faith Spotted Eagle, an elder of the Ihanktonwan tribe, said: 'The easement has been denied. We have all come to this gathering being hosted by Mother Earth. I love you all.'

Shailene Woodley, star of the 'Divergent' movies and 'The Fault in Our Stars', who had previously been arrested while protesting told a huge crowd: 'We feel so honored to have been a small part of this movement.'

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Protesters at the Standing Rock Indian reservation triumphed today as the US Army Corps of engineers backed down in its plan to enforce an easement that would allow a pipeline to be built on their land

The camp erupted into cheers as the news spread and cries of Mni Wiconi - 'Water is life' - went up from the crowd

Native American protesters and their allies rejoiced as it was announced by the US government that the Dakota Access Pipeline would be re-routed away from the reservation

The Army's Assistant Secretary for Civil Works said a new route will be explored with consideration to the Environmental Impact Statement along 'with full public input and analysis' (pictured, water protectors celebrating the decision)

Protesters signaled their happiness after the announcement. Standing Rock tribal chairman Dave Archambault II said 'The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will forever be grateful to the Obama administration for this historic decision'

Protesters opposed the $3.8 billion pipeline, saying the project, slated to carry 570,000 barrels of crude oil a day across four states, could harm drinking water and Native American cultural sites

Demonstrators celebrated the announcement after months of resistance. Some of the clashes led to hundreds of arrests, with authorities reportedly using tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray and water cannons

In a statement, Standing Rock tribal chairman Dave Archambault II said: 'Today, the US Army Corps of engineers announced that it will not be granting the easement to cross Lake Oahe for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline.

'Instead, the Corps will be undertaking an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternate routes.

'We wholeheartedly support the decision of the administration and commend with the utmost gratitude the courage it took on the part of President Obama, the Army Corps, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior to take steps to correct the course of history and do the right thing.

'The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will forever be grateful to the Obama administration for this historic decision.'

He went on to thank all of those who had given moral, physical and financial support from around the globe, and in particular thanked those who had joined the protesters at Standing Rock.

Moments after the decision was announced Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council Chairman Harold Frazier told DailyMail.com that he was 'shocked' by the news. Protesters had already started making preparations to stay through the winter

Protesters at the Oceti Sakowin campsite swelled in numbers since Friday despite an order issued by Governor Jack Dalrymple to evacuate

Navy veteran Rob McHaney, of Reno, Nevada, was just one of numerous veterans who traveled to the area to assist the demonstrators

Bernie Sanders - one of few prominent politicians who voiced opposition to the pipeline - tweeted that he was happy with the result, and cautioned that America should stop being dependent on fossil fuels

'We hope that [Energy Transfer Partner CEO] Kelcy Warren, [North Dakota Governor Jack] Dalrymple and the incoming Trump administration respect this decision and understand the complex process that led us to this point,' he added.

'Treaties are paramount law and must be respected, and we welcome dialogue on how to continue to honor that moving forward,' Archambault said.

'We are not opposed to energy independence, economic development, or national security concerns but we must ensure that these decisions are made with the considerations of our Indigenous peoples.'

He also said he hoped to 'heal' the tribe's relationship with local law enforcement and that he looked 'forward to a future that reflects more mutual understanding and respect'.

Members of the Sioux Nation celebrate minutes after the announcement that the Dakota Access Pipeline would not go ahead (from left Shawn and Ashley, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier and Wanda DuBray)

Sunday's announcement came just one day before December 5, the date by which the US Army Corp of Engineers said they would close off the area above the Cannonball River, which included the Oceti Sakowin camp

Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Sioux nation, participates in a ceremony in Oceti Sakowin camp on Sunday, shortly before the announcement that the army would change its plans

In an official statement, Darcy, the Army's Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, decided not to approve the easement, which would have allowed the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe.

She said her decision was based on the need to 'explore alternate routes' for the pipeline's crossing, although it doesn't rule out the possibility that it could cross under the reservoir or north of Bismarck

'Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do,' Darcy said in the statement.

'The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing.'

She also added the new routes will be explored using an Environmental Impact Statement, 'with full public input and analysis'.

The company constructing the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, previously said it was unwilling to reroute the project. It had no immediate comment Sunday.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Sunday that the Department of Justice will 'continue to monitor the situation' and stands 'ready to provide resources to help all those who can play a constructive role in easing tensions.'

'The safety of everyone in the area - law enforcement officers, residents and protesters alike - continues to be our foremost concern,' she added.

Thousands of veteran US soldiers recently arrived at the camp to support the protesters against the US Army Corps of engineers. Some were Native American; others were allies to the cause

A Native American man signals for the veterans to arrive at Standing Rock camp early on Sunday

A large group of veterans stood on Highway 1806 just outside the Oceti Sakowin camp earlier on Sunday. Temperatures over the weekend hovered around 30F and authorities had ordered protesters to evacuate citing harsh winter conditions last week

Catcher Cuts the Rope (center), an veteran who was wounded in Iraq, served as head of security on Highway 1806

Shawn, a friend of Chairman Frazier, told DailyMail.com: ‘It’s a heck of a victory for the Great Sioux Nation. I have a lot of pride.’

Marine veteran Lanny Laplante, of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, told DailyMail.com: ‘I am in disbelief. You pray about this for so long.

'As a people we have been mistreated forever and to get this support… I don’t think this could have happened without social media and Facebook.

'As a people we were ready for this. [It was] a greedy corporation abusing indigenous people.

‘It’s an awakening. You look at the water - and how they are going to put oil over water and when there is a shortage of water in the world? I am just blown away by it.

‘Perhaps when Trump comes into office it might be different. It took Obama so long to respond to this - why didn’t he answer sooner when he made so many promises?

‘The world has weighed in, it’s all of the little people, it’s the people all across the nation who liked anything on Facebook.

‘It took the world to stand up for this to happen. We are all related. Water is older than the earth. Water is that closest element to God, it cuts steel, cracks rocks but purifies and sustains us.

‘It’s a great victory.’

While the announcement signaled a great victory for the Standing Rock Sioux and their supporters, some remained cautious, saying it was unclear what would happen with president-elect Donald Trump assuming office in January

Miles Allard, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux, said he was pleased but remained cautious, saying, 'We don't know what Trump is going to do.'

'The whole world is watching,' Allard added. 'I'm telling all our people to stand up and not to leave until this is over.'

President-elect Donald Trump has voiced his support for the pipeline. Spokesperson Hope Hicks said Trump sold his $500,000 to $1million stake in Energy Transfer Partners, the Washington Post reported.

Trump's most recent federal disclosure forms, filed in May, showed that he also owns between $100,000 and $250,000 in Phillips 66, which has a one-quarter share of Dakota Access.

As darkness fell on the Oceti Sakowin camp, the victory party around the Sacred Fire was just getting started. Traffic lined up to get into the camp was backed up for a mile.

While demonstrators at the scene rejoiced, supporters across the country, including several celebrities like Michael Moore and Solange Knowles shared their reactions to the news on social media.

The proposed pipeline would have covered 1,172 miles under the existing plans, connecting the Bakken and Three Forks oil production areas in North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to an existing crude oil terminal near Pakota, Illinois.

The 30-inch-diameter pipe was designed to transport 470,000 barrels of oil per day - putting Lake Oahe at risk of serious contamination in the case of a breach, the protesters said.

Chief Joseph River Wind (left), a former military police officer, said he felt a calling to join the protesters while Army Vet Art Desmarais (right) traveled from New Hampshire to Cannonball, North Dakota, to show his support

A TIMELINE OF EVENTS SURROUNDNIG THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE December 2014: Energy Transfer Partners LP apply to build a $3.8billion pipeline crossing North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois that would carry 570,000 barrels of crude oil a day March 11, 2016: Iowa is the last of the four states to approve the pipeline after the state's utilities board unanimously voted for it. The Environmental Protection Agency also sends a letter to the US Army Corp of Engineer to perform an environmental assessment April 1, 2016: About 200 tribal members from a number of Native American nations stage a protest on horseback. They oppose the pipeline passing through burial sites and land sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux and worry the project will contaminate their drinking water April 29, 2016: Standing Rock Sioux send a petition to the Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency overseeing the project, and demand a more thorough environmental impact study July 26, 2016: The Corp of Engineers approves the most of the final permits, including land easements and 200 water crossings. A spokeswoman for the project says construction can move forward 'in all areas as quickly as possible' July 27, 2016: The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe files a lawsuit against the Corp of Engineers August 1, 2016: About $1million worth of equipment is intentionally torched along the DAPL route in Iowa, police say August 24, 2016: The Standing Rock Sioux brought their case before a federal district judge, saying the government did not consult them on the route of the pipeline. Federal attorneys said the tribe declined the chance to assess the pipeline with them, while Archambault later said they had met with Energy Transfer and explicitly stated their opposition September 3, 2016: At least six protesters are attacked by guard dogs belonging to a private security company, while dozens more are hit with pepper spray, according to tribe spokesperson Steve Sitting Bear September 6, 2016: Brian Cladoosby, president of the National Congress of American Indians, makes an appeal to President Barack Obama's advisers to support the Standing Rock Sioux Sptember 9, 2016: A federal judge rules against the Standing Rock Sioux's request to half construction of the DAPL, but the US Justice and Interior Departments and Army issue an order later that day to halt construction October 9, 2016: The Standing Rock Sioux's appeal is shot down in federal court, which rules the DAPL can continue construction October 10, 2016: Actress Shailene Woodleyis arrested for trespassing and engaging in a riot while protesting the pipeline October 27, 2016: Officers in riot gear fire bean bags and pepper spray in clashes that result in around 140 arrests. A protest coordinator claimed he was held in a mesh enclosure that appeared to be a dog kennel, which the Morton County Sheriff's Department called 'temporary holding cells (chain link fences)' October 31, 2016: Supporters mobilize on Facebook, checking into Standing Rock through the social media platform to confuse law enforcement, who were said to be gathering information on protesters, although the sheriff's department said that was 'absolutely false' November 8, 2016: Energy Transfer Partners LP says the pipeline has reached Lake Oahe November 17, 2016: The Corps of Engineers says it plans to 'revise its regulations' to ensure its consultations with sovereign tribes are 'confirmed by the U.S. Constitution, treaties, statutes, executive orders, judicial decisions and presidential documents and policies' November 20, 2016: Authorities use water cannons and rubber bullets on protesters. Sophia Wilansky, a 21-year-old New Yorker, is airlifted to a hospital in Minneapolis after her left hand and arm was injured in an explosion. Her father claims a member of law enforcement threw an object at her which exploded, but law enforcement suggested fellow protesters were to blame November 25, 2016: Citing safety concerns, the Corps of Engineers say anyone found north of the Cannonball River, which includes the Oceti Sakowin camp, after December 5, could be prosecuted with trespassing. Protest organizers said it was unlikely they would leave November 28, 2016: North Dakota's Governor Jack Dalrymple orders an emergency evacuation of Dakota Access pipeline protesters, citing harsh winter conditions December 4, 2016: About 2,000 veterans arrive, saying they will carry on and give protesters who have engaged in the standoff for months a break Advertisement

The news came after an estimated 2,000 veterans descended on Standing Rock Sioux reservation this weekend in a show of solidarity with the Dakota Access pipeline protests.

They poured into the Oceti Sakowin Camp, located on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, vowed to form a human barrier in front of police to assist thousands of activists, who prefer to be known as water protectors.

They spent months braving freezing temperatures and snowstorms in a stand against the $3.8billion pipeline which was slated to tunnel beneath a lake half a mile from the reservation. Activists said it would threaten water resources and destroy sacred Native American burial sites.

Since Friday, long lines of traffic passed through checkpoints to enter the camp staffed by volunteers as weekend temperatures hovered around 30F.

Green military tents sprung up as temporary barracks for veterans, many of whom wore camouflage fatigues and baseball caps of their regiments.

On Sunday morning, veterans at the camp awoke to the sound of a lone trumpeter, Tony Lughan, playing Reveille and Amazing Grace on the hill.

Large crowds gathered at the pipeline site as demonstrators had planned to stand their ground and brave the winter

U.S. Army veteran, Mike Matusewic, of Hurley, Wisconsin told DailyMail.com that the veterans had come to Standing Rock with the aim of giving some 'relief and protection to the water protectors and walk alongside them'

(Left to right) Eddie Benton Jr, Danielle Benton and Eddie Benton Sr performed a water ceremony and encouraged peaceful protest on Saturday

Tamara Sharp of Oakland, CA prayed with other demonstrators at the Cannonball River earlier on Sunday

Pictured, Michael Hopkins, 59 of Neenah, WI, holds a mirror on Sunday as he and other demonstrators participated in an art demonstration to reflect the police officers aggression back to them

Chief Joseph River Wind, of the Northern Arawak Tribal Nation on White Earth Reservation, Minnesota, felt a calling to come to Standing Rock and said 'there is no expiration date on my oath to serve and protect'.

Chief River Wind served from 1991-2000 as a military police officer in the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry.

'I've been on the other side of the shield but I have not seen civil rights violations against Americans like this,' he said.

He said the veterans' operation orders were for peaceful and prayerful protests along with protection.

'We are here as a show of peaceful support for the people of the water protectors and the Lakota and Dakota people. There is no weapons, no ammunition.

'We just have our prayers and presence to let the indigenous people and the world know that there are many military veterans who are here to protect and defend them in a peaceful way.'

He said that the veterans would stand up to any group trying to incite violence.

'Veterans are looking out for each other. Camp security even came and raided veterans' tents while I was sleeping last night. We don't want anything to happen that way.'

Activist Dr. Cornel West (left) spoke during an interfaith ceremony at the Oceti Sakowin camp earlier on Sunday

Protesters have been winterizing shelters and plan to bed in for the harsh winter months as they await the Army Corps decision on whether to allow the company to tunnel under the river. That decision has been delayed twice by the Army Corps

Donna Williams, a member of the Sioux Nation and a U.S. Navy Gulf War veteran, told DailyMail.com: 'I am here because our tribe also gets its water from the Missouri River and it is being affected by a utility company.

'I have come here to stand with our brothers and sisters of Standing Rock and to take a stand that we need to have clean water and have rights respected.'

Protesters had been winterizing shelters and planned to bed in for the harsh winter months as they awaited the Army Corps decision on whether to allow the company to tunnel under the river.

The Veterans Stand for Standing Rock (VSSR) movement is led by retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark Jr and Marine veteran and former Baltimore police officer, Michael Wood Jr.

Donna Williams (left), a US Navy Veteran, and active service member Chief Warrant Officer Ohiyesa Frank Locke (right) have joined the protest in the freezing conditions

At a law enforcement press conference on Saturday, National Guard Major General Alan Dohrmann said he had conversations with veterans' organizers and had reassurances the protest would remain peaceful.

'We had a good discussion and walked away with a mutual commitment to maintaining peace, showing mutual respect for one another, and ensuring adequate space between law enforcement and protestors who peacefully exercise their first amendment rights,' said Dohrmann.

'Both Law Enforcement and the VSSR leaders understand that there is no way to control a minority in the camp looking for confrontation, but we would continue dialogue to mitigate the action of people who don't protest in the spirit of the event,' he added. 'Mr. Clark did say that if the leaders of the VSSR group identified anyone getting out of line, they would remove those individuals from the protest area.'

Tony Lughan a jazz musician played a military reveille as people on the camp site woke up

Sheriff Laney said that local law enforcement had no intention of removing protesters from the Oceti Sakowin camp on Monday.

State officials last week ordered activists to vacate the camp, located on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, citing harsh weather conditions.

'I've been asked a hundred times what's going to happen on December 5. We're not moving on that camp and nor planning to anytime in the near future,' he said.

'If you think you'll see a mass of law enforcement and National Guard rolling in there, you'll be waiting a long time, it's not happening.

He added: 'A whole lot of people are coming here expecting to see some sort of confrontation. They are going to be pretty bored. It's not happening. We are not pushing people off that land. We are not pushing people off those camps.'

'It's a federal problem that's been dumped in local laps,' he said.

Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier emphasized that work on construction was not happening at the drill location until the easement was signed and had urged the federal government to make a decision.

U.S. Army veteran, Mike Matusewic, of Hurley, Wisconsin told DailyMail.com that the veterans had come to Standing Rock with the aim of giving some 'relief and protection to the water protectors and walk alongside them.'

A man chops wood in Oceti Sakowin camp as 'water protectors' continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipelin

'I fought for this freedom and what they are doing here unprotected. I wanted to fight for their freedom also,' he said.

John Endrizzi, a U.S. Airforce veteran who served in Vietnam, had made his third trip to Standing Rock from Rome, Wisconsin.

He said: 'It's all about the water. We also have a very serious water fight in Wisconsin. Factory farms are destroying our rivers and streams. I'm a pipeline awareness advocate against Line 61 which travels through Wisconsin and creates a huge risk. They are trying to expand it to carry 1.2million barrels of oil per day.'

Both veterans said that their group was 'all about non-violence and dealing with things peacefully'.

Mr Endrizzi added: 'Those that would provoke us are sinful people.'

Art Desmarais, from New Hampshire, drove 30 straight hours to make it Standing Rock reservation in what will be his third visit. He served with the U.S. Army both at home and overseas.

'For me personally, having served for all the wrong reasons, we are going to serve for the all right reasons now. We are going to bring this country back to how it should be.'

He was optimistic that the sheriff's department and National Guard would keep their distance. 'I think they are going to leave us alone,' he said.

The veteran was with Jehann El-Bisi, from Amherst, Massachusetts, whose father had worked for the Department of Defense and whose mother, who has Lakota, Scottish and French heritage, was an environmental activist.

A list of direct action principles are posted outside a common area at Standing Rockreve

John Endrizzi, a U.S. Airforce veteran who served in Vietnam, had made his third trip to Standing Rock from Rome, Wisconsin

He said: 'It's all about the water. We also have a very serious water fight in Wisconsin. Factory farms are destroying our rivers and streams. I'm a pipeline awareness advocate against Line 61 which travels through Wisconsin and creates a huge risk. They are trying to expand it to carry 1.2million barrels of oil per day'. He is pictured left with Mike Matusewic

'My mother was an activist and I watched her protect the water and the environment. I see it as my responsibility for all people to protect the environment.

'In the Lakota language the words are, Mitakuye Oyasin, which means we are all related.'

She added: 'I think it is the most critical moment in time for all of humanity and Standing Rock is a defining moment in our history.'

Several members of the North Dakota Veterans Coordinating Council, which represents five veterans organizations in the state, held a news conference to decry the involvement of veterans in a protest that has damaged property and asked veterans not to participate in the demonstration.

People participate in a direct action training session in Oceti Sakowin camp

'We agree that it is our constitutional right to assemble and to peacefully protest,' council President Russ Stabler said. 'However, protests over the last 100-plus days in North Dakota have been less than peaceful.

'Participating in this kind of assembly even as a peaceful bystander or participant will only mar the image of the North Dakota veterans and the veterans of our nation.'

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple previously said on Wednesday it was 'probably not feasible' to reroute the pipeline.

Dalrymple said state officials never contemplated forcibly removing protesters and his evacuation order was mainly due to concerns about inclement weather endangering people.

The Standing Rock Sioux, in a statement on Wednesday, said that because 'the Governor of North Dakota and Sheriff of Morton County are relative newcomers' to the land, 'it is understandable they would be concerned about severe winter weather'.