Standing Rock Sioux Reservation: Case Study

The beginning of August 2016, a national issue occurred in a remote corner of North Dakota over the construction of a new 1,200-mile pipeline across Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. It is a great fear to the tribe in the Standing Rock Reservation that if the pipeline is to be built in this location near Missouri river a leak is probable. If an oil spill were to happen, it will not only destroy the water supply for Standing Rock Reservation but it would also destroy 50% of South Dakota's potable water supply. The risk is too profound for the sake of all the members of this community and the surrounding environment. It is important to me for these people to get the chance to have a voice on this crucial matter because it is happening in own …show more content…
The Standing Rock Reservation, a tribe of 10,000 will be affected the most from the pipeline construction. With the construction of this pipeline, it runs the risk of breaking, that would evidently leak into the surrounding water sources like the Missouri River. Causing "Tragic accidents affecting lives and personal property in the communities along the pipeline" (Bakken Pipeline). The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe main concern is about how the construction of Dakota Access Pipeline that would pass under the Missouri River, which is located a half mile upstream of the reservation boundary. Of course, "Potential spills from the pipeline could impact the drinking water of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, as well as thousands of others downstream who rely on the river for drinking water and irrigation" (Conservation Biology). Another main concern for Standing Rock Reservation members is how the pipeline will cross over sacred burial and prayer sites. Standing Rock Sioux chairman David Archambault says “This demolition is devastating” and “These grounds are the resting places of our ancestors. The ancient cairns and stone prayer rings there cannot be replaced. In one day, our sacred land