The Keystone XL Pipeline is the proposed last segment of the greater Keystone Pipeline project owned by TransCanada which would run from Hardisty, Alberta (in Canada) to Steele City, Nebraska. The proposed pipeline would carry oil sands from Canada to refineries on the Gulf Coast (Cama and Wilson 14).This pipeline would utilize a bitumen-harvesting process which is more environmentally damaging and less efficient than the tradition oil drilling process. Additionally, the pipeline has been controversial due to the environmental hazards tin its operation (Issitt). One of the major groups of protestors to the Keystone Pipeline are Native American Tribes including the Northern Arapaho Tribe, Yankton Sioux Tribe, and Blackfeet tribe. Their feelings
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This is a way of life that is to be protected by the United States government as Executive Branch is required to protect Native American Tribe sacred sites (Cama and Wilson 18). This is not about money for the Native Americans, as it is for many of the pipeline supporters. These protestors cannot consider whether this will be good for the city’s economy as it will bring in property taxes to the rural economy. They are not like Steve Reed from West Central Electric Co-op who contends that it would give a long-term economic boost for the Co-op and its members (Ray). They cannot consider these things because they are fighting for an integral part of their lifestyle. In order to illustrate this point further protesters arrived on horseback to the National Wall and erected teepees in front. The signs that they are holding, with the text, “President Obama: Protect Our Sacred Water, Protect Our Sacred Land” only reinforces this message. This struggle is so critical to them that they have come to the nation’s capital and are addressing the president; most powerful man in the country. These protestors are not fighting for their land; they are fighting for their way of life. The issue of pipelines is not confined to Keystone XL alone. Currently, the Standing Sioux Rock Tribe is protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline which is supposed to span 1,100 miles across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. In this case the protestors are also worried about contamination of their sacred water
This is a way of life that is to be protected by the United States government as Executive Branch is required to protect Native American Tribe sacred sites (Cama and Wilson 18). This is not about money for the Native Americans, as it is for many of the pipeline supporters. These protestors cannot consider whether this will be good for the city’s economy as it will bring in property taxes to the rural economy. They are not like Steve Reed from West Central Electric Co-op who contends that it would give a long-term economic boost for the Co-op and its members (Ray). They cannot consider these things because they are fighting for an integral part of their lifestyle. In order to illustrate this point further protesters arrived on horseback to the National Wall and erected teepees in front. The signs that they are holding, with the text, “President Obama: Protect Our Sacred Water, Protect Our Sacred Land” only reinforces this message. This struggle is so critical to them that they have come to the nation’s capital and are addressing the president; most powerful man in the country. These protestors are not fighting for their land; they are fighting for their way of life. The issue of pipelines is not confined to Keystone XL alone. Currently, the Standing Sioux Rock Tribe is protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline which is supposed to span 1,100 miles across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. In this case the protestors are also worried about contamination of their sacred water