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Diocese Backs Sioux Tribe

Via the Diocese of North Dakota

Statement by the North Dakota Council of Indian Ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Dakota Access Pipe Line

August 19, 2016

  1. The North Dakota Council of Indian Ministries (NDCIM) of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota stands in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their peaceful and prayerful efforts to halt the construction of the Dakota Access Pipe Line (DAPL) because of its degradation of sacred sites and possible catastrophic contamination of their drinking water and irrigation projects.
  2. The NDCIM calls upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reverse its decision for construction of the DAPL, especially in light of the disregarded recommendations of three federal agencies (the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation) for further study and investigation of environmental impact. Furthermore, the rejection of the original plans for construction north of Bismarck due to potential dangers to their drinking water is an obvious example of environmental racism.
  3. The NDCIM calls upon the appropriate governmental authorities to re-open State Highway 1806. Not only is this closure an unnecessary inconvenience to Standing Rock residents, but it has effectively resulted in an economic sanction against the Standing Rock Nation.
  4. There are Native American veterans and non-Native veterans alike that served in the Armed Forces historically and to the present day to protect the US and all citizens. Their valiant efforts should never be forgotten and based on that we support the efforts of government to government (sovereign tribal nations, states, and federal government) relations to resolve the DAPL crisis in a peaceful, expedient manner that is beneficial to all.
  5. Given resolutions of recent General Conventions of The Episcopal Church (TEC), including but not limited to the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery (2009-DO35), the expression of Solidarity with Indigenous People (2012-A131), the call to protect Indigenous Peoples’ Sacred Sites (2012-A132), and opposition to Environmental Racism (2000-D005), the NDCIM calls upon the Presiding Bishop and the Office of Government Relations of TEC to advocate for us.
  6. The NDCIM requests the Diocesan Council to allocate 10% of the value of our Bakken royalties for 2016 for outreach efforts to the NO DAPL and Sacred Stone camps.
  7. The NDCIM invites other Episcopalians and people of good will to join us in these efforts.

The Rt. Rev. Michael G. Smith, Bishop (Potawatomi), and Robert F. Fox, NDCIM Chair (Sahnish)

Endorsed by the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota, August 20, 2016

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