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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2017)
10 S moke S ignals FEBRUARY 1, 2017 Trump greenlights Dakota Access Pipeline project By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor As many in Indian Country feared, President Donald Trump greenlighted the controversial Da- kota Access Pipeline by signing an executive order on Tuesday, Jan. 24, that orders federal agencies to expedite approval of a needed easement to complete the project. The pipeline project galvanized Indian Country during the summer of 2016 as many Tribes expressed their support for the Standing Rock Sioux and Tribal members traveled to North Dakota to support the Standing Rock Sioux’s opposition to the project. The Grand Ronde Tribe passed a resolution and sent a $2,500 do- nation to the Standing Rock Sioux, and many Grand Ronde Tribal members traveled to North Dakota to help protest, as well as deliver needed supplies and moral support. The pipeline is 1,172 miles long and designed to connect the Bakken and Three Forks oil production ar- eas of North Dakota to Patoka, Ill., by way of South Dakota and Iowa. However, its planned route un- derneath Lake Oahe, which forms the border of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, prompted Tribal concerns about potential oil spills and possible contamination of the water supply on the Reservation and an estimated 17 million Amer- icans who live downriver. Trump’s order clears the way to continue building for Energy Transfer Partners and ends the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ December order that halted con- struction pending further review. On Friday, Jan. 20, the Stand- ing Rock Tribe asked remaining protestors to decamp as the Tribe plans to continue its fight against the pipeline in the courts. The Standing Rock Tribal Council gave the protestors, who became known as “water protectors,” until Jan. 30 to leave. “Moving forward, our ultimate objective is best served by our elect- ed officials navigating strategically through the administrative and legal processes,” the Standing Rock Tribe said in a statement posted on Facebook. “For this reason, we ask the protectors to vacate the camps and head home with our most heartfelt thanks.” The fight will now move from the frigid camps of North Dakota to the courts as Earthjustice, the legal nonprofit representing the Stand- ing Rock Sioux, vowed to challenge the executive order. “This move is legally question- able, at best,” said Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen, not- ing that Trump owned a stake in the pipeline’s developer up until December. “(Trump) should brace himself to contend with the laws he is flouting, and the millions of Americans who are opposed to these dangerous and destructive projects. We will see his adminis- tration in court.” “We are not opposed to energy independence,” said Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault II. “We are opposed to reckless and politically motivated development projects, like DAPL, that ignore our treaty rights and risk our water. Creating a second Flint does not make American great again.” Trump’s action, which also in- cluded greenlighting the Keystone XL pipeline project that would transport oil from Canada to U.S. ports on the Gulf of Mexico, drew almost immediate criticism from Congressman Raul Grijalva, rank- ing Democratic member on the House Natural Resources Com- mittee. “Even for a president who mis- takes his own whims for the rule of law and corporate profits for the public interest, these orders are irresponsible. These pipelines are being approved because President Trump wants to make polluter corporations happy, not because they’re good for the country,” Gri- jalva said in a press release. “If either of these pipelines is fi- nalized, the damage to water quali- ty, public health and eventually our climate will be on his hands. Ap- proving the Dakota Access project in particular violates Native Amer- ican sovereignty, treaty rights and federal trust responsibility, which the Obama administration rightly recognized when it decided the pipeline needed further review.” “This is a complete disregard for the environment and for Native American rights to water, their land, but, above all, to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan, a Califor- nia Democrat. Rep. Norma Torres, another Cal- ifornia Democrat, said, “President Trump should have allowed the thorough review process initiated by the Obama administration to be completed before rushing through this decision.” Talking about goals Photo by Michelle Alaimo Jason Simon, a retired National Hockey League player, autographs a player card for Kailiyah Krehbiel, second from right, during his visit to Grand Ronde on Monday, Jan. 23. Simon, whose hockey career lasted 20 years, is a youth motivational speaker/mentor on living a healthy lifestyle. Simon is a member of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario, Canada, and spoke to Tribal youth about growing up on a Native reserve, what it takes to be a professional athlete, and drug and alcohol addiction and recovery. Also waiting for an autograph is Iyana Holmes, middle, Madison Aaron, second from left, and her sister, Makenzie Aaron, left. The Tribe’s Youth Prevention Program sponsored the event. Oregon University System admissions and scholarship deadlines The OUS schools have their own priority deadline for admis- sions. This is also their university scholarship deadline. Don’t miss your opportunity to attend your top school choice and a chance to receive a scholarship. Eastern Oregon University: March 1 Oregon Institute of Technology: March 1 Oregon State University: Feb. 1 Portland State University: Feb. 1 Southern Oregon University: Feb. 15 University of Oregon: Jan. 15 Western Oregon University: Feb. 1 CTGR Higher Education Program deadlines set There are now only two Higher Education programs depending on whether you are full-time or part-time. The deadline for the Full-Time College program is at least 30 days before the start of classes. The deadline for the Part-Time College program is at least 10 days before the start of class. Visit the Tribal website for more program information and an application. www.grandronde.org/departments/education/high- er-education/ Ad created by George Valdez
