Senator Harry Reid took to the Senate floor today to show his support for the peaceful resolution to the protests surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Standing Rock Sioux are fighting for their land right to clean water near and their history. They're not alone Standing Rock Sioux have been joined by thousands of others, claiming members of hundreds of tribes throughout the United States. Last month while I was in Nevada, members of the 27 Native American tribes we have in Nevada made it clear me they stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux.
But I do too Madam President.
And here's why I joined with the Standing Rock Sioux in calling for an alternative route for the pipeline's construction. It's past time this situation resolved peacefully as it’s lingered for months and the debate has descended into violence. What is happening at Standing Rock is a movement that has captured the attention of the entire country; but we should understand the context of what is taking place we should be mindful that the history of this region is fraught with disputes and very few of which if any have been resolved in favor of the Indians.
Sen. Reid talked about the history of the United States’ treatment of American Indians in the region and in our country and the neverending list of broken promises. But Sen. Reid can be as straight as an arrow and he can strike with true clarity.
I don't intend to have all the understand sirs Madam President but I do know from experience that progress is possible on cooperation and respect for the foundation of fairness.
[...]
Standing Rock Sioux protested the code access pipeline has everything to do with the history of broken promises and institutionalized disregard for the rights of their own land as well as the trust relationship between Indian tribes and federal government of the United States.
And finally, most powerfully:
American tribes are looking to the federal government for help for once let's get them some help rather than just continue taking from them. They want to believe that after centuries of wrongs United States will finally get it right. Indians want to believe that—after again so long—they have been treated with no respect that the United States will help and not hurt relocating the pipeline to a more suitable area away from the Standing Rock reservation would be an easy and historic step in the right direction for the sake of our country. I hope that happens
#NoDAPL