Activists and leaders reflect on Standing Rock a decade on: ‘I would do it again’

Tribal leaders and Native American activists have returned to the Standing Rock Sioux reservation to mark the decade since protests against the Dakota Access pipeline, reflecting on the movement’s enduring influence. A four-day gathering in Fort Yates focused on the phrase "mní wičóni"—"water is life"—with ceremonies, drum circles, and memorials attended by around 150 participants. The event highlighted both the cultural significance of the resistance and its ongoing connection to environmental and Indigenous rights. Organizers emphasized the role of the protests in shaping broader discussions about land, water, and sovereignty.

Tribal leaders and organizers return to reservation 10 years after demonstrations against Dakota Access pipelineTen years after major demonstrations against the Dakota Access pipeline, tribal leaders and Native American organizers returned to the Standing Rock Sioux reservation this week to honor the movement and its lasting impacts.In the rural reservation area of Fort Yates, a four-day encampment that centered on the phrase “mní wičóni” – “water is life” – brought together about 150 tribal members and allies for meals, drum circles, sacred ceremonies and memorials. Continue reading...