In the past few months, we have seen several different forms of uprising against the potential construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The destructive pipeline project is looking to cut straight through the sacred lands of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, a place that is home to more than 8,000 members of the Sioux tribe. To the tribes, the pipeline not only represents a trespassing into their home, but it has the potential to ruin their precious water supply, a fact that they are simply not willing to take lying down.

Every day, people are gathering on the reservation to meet with officials face to face and let them know they are not okay with the project and likely never will be. As with many confrontations nowadays, peaceful or otherwise, police have been arriving on the scene equipped with riot gear. As the tribe member in the video states, this includes rubber bullets, tear gas, batons, and weapons. Understandably, tribe members and fellow protesters have been keeping their distance. This, however, did not stop them from hollering in joy at the sight of thousands of wild buffalo making their way towards their protest.


It is unclear what drove these bison to suddenly stampede towards the grounds, but considering indigenous culture celebrates this animal, specifically as a symbol of sacrifice for giving their lives, to provide food, shelter, and clothing for the tribes, we can guess who’s side these animals are on. If you agree that the Dakota Access Pipeline should not be built on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, sign this petition.

Lead image source: BG Smith/Shutterstock