The Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

The Dakota Access Pipeline protests began in 2016 when many Indigenous tribes and environmental activists opposed construction of a pipeline that would carry oil beneath the Missouri River near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. They argued the pipeline threatened their water supply, sacred lands, and environmental health. The protests included peaceful demonstrations, legal battles, and increased awareness of Indigenous rights. Despite efforts to stop it, the pipeline was completed in 2017. The protests highlighted broader issues of environmental protection, Indigenous sovereignty, and the impact of fossil fuel infrastructure on communities and natural resources.