Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reasserts that DAPL Destroyed Sacred Places
Construction workers desecrated sacred burial grounds on Saturday, September 3, 2016.
Published October 1, 2016
CANNON BALL, NORTH DAKOTA – The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe strongly disputes the claim that there were no sacred sites contained in the ground destroyed September 3 by the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
A preliminary internal memo from the State Historical Society of North Dakota states there were no human remains or significant sites found in the construction zone.
Security brought dogs to move land protectors.
“It is my understanding that the Chief Archaeologist of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, has an ongoing investigation regarding the destruction of important cultural resources and gravesites along a portion of the path of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation,” said Jon Eagle Sr., the Standing Rock Sioux’s Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. “That investigation has not been completed, so any reports regarding the conclusions of the State’s investigation are premature.”
“On Sept. 2, the Tribe provided vitally important documentation regarding a number of sacred sites, including stone features and burials, along a two mile stretch in the pipeline’s path. The following day, Dakota Access sent construction crews to that specific place, and bulldozed the entire area. This terrible and intentional action was taken without consulting with Tribal or State historic preservation officials. The Tribe has strongly objected to this desecration of our sacred sites. And we have called on the State Historical Society of North Dakota to take appropriate action to issue a stop work order to prevent additional harm to sites.”
The Tribe is not alone in its effort to see that the destruction of its sacred sites is properly addressed. In a letter to President Obama, and the Departments of Justice, Interior and Army, more than 1,200 archaeologists and other professionals wrote: ‘As archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, and museum workers committed to responsible stewardship, we are invested in the preservation and interpretation of archaeological and cultural heritage for the common good. We join the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in denouncing the recent destruction of ancient burial sites, places of prayer and other significant cultural artifacts sacred to the Lakota and Dakota people.’
The Section 106 Review Process under The National Historic Preservation Act, Section 101(d)(6)(B) requires federal agencies to consult with any Indian tribe that attaches religious and cultural significance to historic properties that may be affected by an undertaking.
“The Tribe has particular expertise in the identification and protection of sites that are important to the Tribe’s own culture,” said Eagle. “For this reason, it is important for the state’s Chief Archaeologist to consult with my office and to conduct a joint comprehensive review on the ground. I am confident that if the Chief Archaeologist is willing to work together in this way, that will lead to a fair decision that will recognize and protect our sacred sites.”
Tim Mentz Sr. has in the past served as the Standing Rock Sioux’s Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. Today, he is a Traditional Cultural Specialist and consultant with Makoche Wowapi LLC, which is dedicated to the identification and protection of Dakota and Lakota cultural heritage sites.
Mentz and his team surveyed the land in question and noted rare and significant sites.
“Archaeologists don’t see these things,” he said. “People from the State Historical Society just walked right past those, because they don’t have the connection that we have to this land and to our history and stories.”
The Tribe also disputes DAPL’s claims regarding sacred sites. There are currently two different maps outlining the locations of historical artifacts: one produced by DAPL and one produced by the Tribe. At issue, says the Tribe, is that DAPL has provided no indication of where its data came from or identified the cultural experts who contributed to the map.
“We think it is important to set the record straight on the many false claims being made in regards to our sacred places,” said Mentz. “In court filings, DAPL claims that its own workers identified no sacred sites within the work area. It is outrageous to suggest that a construction crew can conduct an assessment of this type.”
Share this:
-
U.S. Senator Heinrich to Visit Navajo Technical University
-
Navajo Nation President Tells Trump Administration that Indian Tribes Need to Own Tribal Land
-
Keith M. Harper Joins Board of the American Constitution Society
-
With Helicopter Overhead, Security Used Tear Gas and Dogs to Move Standing Rock Land Protectors
this is a crime of the worst scenario i can imagine regarding a sovereign nation. i am choctaw and i know we have sent supplies to standing rock and our miko, chief batton really has his eye on the outcome.
I plan to get in contact with my people as well. I’am working today but something needs to be done to safeguard our people, I said in a previous post, there should be Tribal Police who are there from the tribe itself to aide these protectors of the land at the camp sights themselves. I will take the time to reach out to whom it will concern and whomever is in the departments I need to be heard. This has to be stopped, otherwise more of us will be led to join those already present.
The county sheriff is totally out of control. I hate to say it, but- I think the President needs to send troops in to safeguard the protectors from the actions of the sheriff and his thugs. I hope they have been requested, or will be as soon as possible, before more peaceful protectors are harassed, beaten, and jailed, for no other reason than to please the whims of that despicable pig that calls himself the sheriff.
What’s all the fuss about DAPL in ND?
Another oil pipeline blows & leaks in Peru September 26,2016.
Sunday 25 September there was a spill over in the Amazon, exactly, at kilometer 64 of the northern Peruvian oil pipeline. The company has come to the area, but has not yet made the necessary coordination with all affected communities.
“What will happen on, how they will solve this, we are unable to spill oil spill. Until when will we live like “Apu asks the community” new union “José Lachuma, the Cocama people.
The spill occurred near the boundary of the communities “New Union”, belonging to the district of Lagunas and “Monte Rico” Urarinas district of the same region Loreto.
Indigenous community leaders New Union, demand prompt response of the state, but especially the business dialogue with them about the situation, and not get into its territory to “remedy” without learned the fact the population.
It should be noted that the regional organization CORPI SL, is in constant communication with communities through Communities Cocama Cucamiria Federation (FEDECOCA), low Huallaga.
Alert!
Witnesses in the area claim that the oil has reached the creek “Duck-Yacu” which is very close (two kilometers) of the Maranon River.
“It enters the two communities will be more than 600 affected with this massive pollution” said Victor meanwhile Second Yaricahua, president of FEDECOCA.
“Instant Help”
You are communities need immediate help not only the happy “contingency plans” that are a palliative to shelve the real problem. AIDESEP us since we have already presented an alternative solution to the company Petroperu and the State, which so far have not responded or comment, simply do not care, sentenced Jamner Manihuari, vice president of AIDESEP.
I am certain Tim Mentz, whom I consider to be an expert in the issue at hand. Had he remained in this position I am most certain this DAPL would not have taken place. Mr. Mentz was present at the first meeting called relevant to two major projects were offered under President Clinton’s Executive Order 12898 to which the Integrated Resources Management Plan (IRMP) and the [American Indian] Resources Management Plan (ARMP) were provided to all federally-recognized tribes throughout Indian Country. This was a 10-year project wherein 18 federal departments were mandated to assist participating tribes to complete its comprehensive plans. At this first meeting a Bob Bizel from a Denver Office and one Patrick Keats from the Great Plains Area Office introduced us to these two plans. Standing Rock Tribal Council went on record to participate via its Reservation Resources Office. Went well under four experts in their field of professions whose knowledges were required until internal “dirty” politics and unexpected deaths of two employees brought death to these two projects. Had the IRMP allowed to be completed (actually the remaining two that were wrongfully terminated had delivered its Notice of Internt to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Agency Superintendent) the DAPL would not have taken place as the IRMP/ARMP specifically provided designation of every parcel of properties and/or territories on each reservation inclusive of those mentioned under Section 106 process namely the 1992 amended portions of the National Historic Preservation Act that have a direct bearing on the Section 106 review process which are Section (d)(6)(A) which clarifies that properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian tribes may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; and Section 101(d)(6)(B) which requires that federal agencies in carrying out their Section 106 responsibilities, consult with any Indian tribe that attaches religious and cultural significance to historic properties that may be affected by an undertaking. The current issues should have been addressed under Ron His Horses Thunder, Charles Murphy and now Dave Archambault administrations — a span of 32 years, however, was not. I believe this massive and phenomenal gathering of Nations was to have happened based on the prophecies of our forefathers that the First Nations would take the World Center Stage some day via a “Spider Web” now known as www. The first massive and mysterious gathering did not have world wide attention when Sitting Bull’s Tribe won its military battle at the Little Big Horn June 26, 1876, and now Dr. Billy Graham’s March 1975 prophecy addressed on L.A. Marzulli interview with Chief Joseph Riverwind on the net I believe is being fulfilled now hosted by Chief Sitting Bull’s own people. Standing Rock Sioux encampment appears to be just that– the First Nations taking the World Center Stage and DAPL just happened to be there at both the wrong and at the right timing. Most spell bounding to the traditional Sioux ceremoney was performed for the first time in many years. Said Chanupa Ceremony inducted the currently-seated Tribal Council in 2012. The Pipe Ceremony performed was an entrance into the past. This council was warned several times to respect the Chanupa by one elder, however, was marginalized. Think about it.