The Dakota Access Pipeline was mapped out and organized by Bakken oil company. This pipeline would have been the source of oil transportation from the oil fields of North Dakota to Illinois. The problem with this newly desired location of the Bakken oil pipeline was that it would have been set close to a half mile away from the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. Completing construction of this pipeline would not only poison the water supply following with the Sioux people having to relocate, but the sacred burial grounds would be destructively disturbed.

Native American people from around the United States have come together alongside the Standing Rock Sioux people, protesting against the furtherance of this pipeline. These protesters have occupied as a campsite south of Bismark, North Dakota since late summer of 2016. Native Americans all over have shown their support despite numerous reported pepper spray and dog attacks faced throughout their marches. In one instance, workers of the Dakota pipeline began bulldozing the land in preparation for the pipeline.A small wire gate was the only thing separating the protesters from the workers and even that was challenged by the indigenous people. Native American men, women, and children stepped over the gate and went face to face with the pipeline company employees. This led to the protesters being pushed to the dirt ground, maced, and attacked by the workers' dogs.

In spite of all the dangerous, life-threatening turmoil that has transpired over several months, on December 4 the Army Corps of Engineers denied furtherance of the oil pipeline project. Natives around the world celebrate together as this is not only a victory for our people, but for our deeply loved land.