KENORA – On behalf of the leadership of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty#3, Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh extended his full support to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota as they protest the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Ogichidaa Kavanaugh stated, “Grand Council Treaty #3 stands united with the families of Standing Rock as they fight to protect the sacred waters and traditional lands for their future generations. We call for a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.”
Recently the protest became violent as security for the development unleashed pepper spray and guard dogs on protesters that have gathered.
Standing Rock is a 3,500-square-mile reservation with 8,250 residents who fear their water will be polluted and sacred sites desecrated as a result of the development of the multi-billion dollar pipeline.
Article 26 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples suggests that the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s “right to lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired” has been interfered with by the State and the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline. As a Nation, we are hopeful that the State will begin transparent and good-faith discussions with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.
