Native Americans Stopped Dakota Access Pipeline's Destruction Of Historical Sacred Grave Site Markers

Thousands of Native Americans have staged a major stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline construction, which has now destroyed historical grave markers long the 150 corridor, according to Earth Writings.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 6, 2016

Sacred Stone Camp in North Dakota - A video posted on YouTube shows Tim Mintz from Earth Writings confirming that some historical Native American sacred grave site markers were destroyed on Saturday by Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) construction earth movers (bulldozers) along the 150 corridor. The corridor is located outside of the reservation, but it contained grave site markers, burial and ceremonial sites. 

The DAPL construction workers began to plow through the 150 corridor without waiting for the North Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to survey the area first, which resulted in a confrontation between DAPL security guards and Native Americans. The Native Americans from the Sacred Stone Camp and the Oceti Sakowin (Big Camp) stopped the bulldozers from doing any further damage to the burial sites.

A federal temporary restraining order took affect last week halting construction of the crude oil pipeline, but DAPL construction workers began work over the weekend and destroyed grave markers of burial sites in the area.

At least several camps have been setup by multiple tribes that has drawn more than 4,000 Native Americans to the DAPL front line. On Saturday, security guards hired by DAPL attacked Native Americans with vicious dogs and pepper sprayed dozens and six people including a child were reported bitten by the dogs. The all White security guard group were forced to retreat after Native Americans defended themselves from the attack.
The Morton County Sheriff's Office released the following statement, "Private security officers were assaulted Saturday after around 300 protestors broke down a wire fence and stampeded into the construction area, which is on private property. “Any suggestion that this was a peaceful protest, is false. This was more like a riot than a protest," said Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier. "Individuals crossed onto private property and accosted private security officers with wooden posts and flag poles. While no arrests were made at the scene, we are actively investigating the incident and individuals who organized and participated in this unlawful event." Sheriff Kirchmeier says, 4 DAPL security guards and two dogs were reported injured, but he failed to mention that DAPL construction workers with bulldozers destroyed sacred burial markers and graves, also that the security guards attacked Native Americans and pepper sprayed about 30 people.

A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a temporary restraining order until Tuesday, September 6, when a hearing will be heard concerning claims by the plaintiffs Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, the defendants.

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Obama administration supported the temporary restraining order to bring a peaceful resolution to the claim by Native Americans that they are protecting the freshwater Missouri River from any anticipated spill of crude oil into the water, if the pipeline fails.

The Native Americans also claim that their treaty agreements and rights have been violated by the U.S. government.

At least 188 Native American tribes from around the U.S. have joined the struggle to stop DAPL. Their movement to protect the Missouri River from an underwater DAPL crude oil pipeline has gained national attention and support from numerous groups from around the nation.

For food and other donations, people can contact Sacred Stone Camp on Facebook, http://www.standingrock.org or send an email to: sacredstonecamp@gmail.com

Dakota Access Pipeline construction workers destroyed historical Native American grave markers along the 150 corridor. Video: http://youtu.be/9EAWpI5L_Bc

Update: North Dakota State Police and local law enforcement have set up road blocks with concrete barriers and sandbags to stop additional Native Americans and supporters from joining others at the Sacred Rock Camp and reaching the Standing Rock pipeline blockade. Police allowing people to leave Cannon Ball, North Dakota, but restricting access to camps, according to reports.

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