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