A Columbia man is heading to North Dakota in early October to join protests of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Perry Lynn Bigsoldier is a member of Protectors of Water and Land, a Columbia-based group of Native Americans and allies that work to support and raise awareness of the pipeline issue. He says he wants to be a part of this movement that has united people from all over the nation.
“I want to walk down that row of 200 flags that represent the tribes across what’s now known as the United States.”
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe began protesting in April and has been joined by Native Americans from various tribes across the country. Some of the concerns the tribe has with the project are the threats to their water source and the destruction of sacred sites.
Standing Rock leaders also say they were not given accurate information or included in surveys of the area before the Army Corps of Engineers approved construction of the pipeline. According to the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies are required to consult tribal members about any effects a project could have on religious and culturally significant areas.
This violation, along with the threats to water and sacred sites, is the basis of a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers. The suit was filed by the environmental group Earthjustice on behalf of the Standing Rock tribe.
The Dakota Access Pipeline would reach from North Dakota oil fields to a river port in Illinois, a distance of over 1,100 miles. It would carry oil directly underneath parts of the Missouri River.
Candace Reed is another member of Protectors of Water and Land. She thinks the pipeline is a large threat to the Native American community.
“They’ve been mistreated for 500 years…this is crossing the line.”
Bigsoldier says that the Protectors of Water and Land is hosting a flag signing Tuesday, Sep. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Columbia bookstore Heart, Body and Soul. Community members can sign the flag that Bigsoldier will give to Standing Rock tribal members to show support for their mission.
The group will also host events in the near future to collect donations for Bigsoldier’s trip and for the people in North Dakota.