NEWS
Katie Dolan, senior, protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in front of the Union Station Hotel. The protesters marched to the Channel 5 news building in hopes of gaining media coverage for their cause. Photograph printed with permission by Danielle Threlkeld
Students protest Dakota Access Pipeline BY TAYLOR STYER AND KYLE REAMER
money.” Gardner made sure to inform others of this issue, including Dolan. NI WICONI. LAKOTA FOR WATER IS LIFE. The federal government has requested different levels of police This is the battle cry for protesters of the Dakota to be brought to the area to manage the protesters, as police have Access Pipeline (DAPL). The project was proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers in hopes to transport oil from the Bakken used rubber bullets, water cannons, and mace to stop protesters. Many have spoken up about the actions of the police that have not oil fields in North Dakota and Montana across the plains to Illinois. been well received by protesters inducing Dolan. Seniors Danielle Gardner and Katie Dolan both used their The secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers announced on voices to inform others about this issue. They posted the hashtag Sunday, Dec. 4, that it will deny the controversial Dakota Access #NODAPL on social media to spread the word. Pipeline's planned route through the Standing Rock Sioux reserThough social media activism was aiding in getting the word vation. Dolan saw the news online along with photos of natives out, Dolan felt like she could do more. cheering and celebrating. Dolan, Gardner and hundreds of other protesters met across “Our voices were heard and peaceful protesting does make a the street from the Union Station hotel downtown. Protesters then difference,” Dolan said. marched down to the Channel 5 News building. The issue hit home for Joseph Parish, husband of Mary Parish, Supporters chanted and shouted and some natives sang sacred gifted resourse counselor. songs. KSDK employees eventually emerged from the Parish belongs to an organization know as the building and recorded protesters. Native American Indian Fellowship and is part CheroDolan said there are two sides to the cause. She “Our voices were kee and Siponee. He has been working and interacting called it a moral battle. heard, and peaceful with Native American people for the past 15 years, and “It’s planet or profit. It’s right or wrong in my protesting does make in that time he learned to embrace his native heritage. opinion,” Dolan said. “Are you going to value money Parish watched from home as the problem escalatand the economy or are you going to value just and a difference.” ed. It was then that he decided to get involved. the good of the people?” KATIE DOLAN “I had been wanting to go for a long time and I saw If approved, the oil pipeline would potentially SENIOR a window of opportunity,” Parish said. desecrate the Sioux native american land and threatOn Dec. 1, Parish and his fellowship members took en water supply. The pipeline would be built under the 18-hour trek from Missouri to North Dakota. the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. “My role was to give them support,” Parish said. “The true he“The pipeline is hazardous to the environment, human health roes are those on the front line.” and human rights,” Gardner said. “Protesters aim to move away Parish brought dry goods, supplies and meat and served as a from fossil fuels and go more toward renewable energy for the benbutcher for the camp where he often wouldn’t finish working until efit of earth, our only home and the people in it.” 11 at night. Gardner saw an article in early August about the protests Although the pipeline may be rerouted, Parish said the fight for happening as a result of DAPL being proposed. She learned about Native American and environmental equality isn't over. Sacred Stone Camp, the prayer camp where the water protectors “This is not won with just one battle, we are here for the long began gathering in prayer to protest the DAPL. haul,” Parish said. The Standing Rock Sioux nation depends on the Missouri River Parish underlined the importance of peaceful protest. for life and the Dakota Access Pipeline poses a huge threat to the “We are totally dedicated to doing this peacefully,” Parish said. tribe, Gardner said. “We made it clear what we were there for and are passionate about “We only have one planet to call home and we need to take care doing this in a good way. There’s still more to fight for.” of it because mother Earth is suffering,” Gardner said. “The Earth is a life source not a resource. Humans can not continue to destroy this planet for money, without our planet there is no such thing as
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