Tribe tries to stonewall Dakota Access by refusing to sit at the table.

Pat Powers

Do you have a right to complain if you don’t bother to show up?

At the same time the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is trying to complain to the PUC that the Dakota Access pipeline construction hasn’t completed a cultural resources survey along the pipeline route, they’re forced to admit that they refused to respond to multiple attempts to get their input on a cultural resource survey:

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe didn’t work with Dakota Access when the company conducted a cultural resources survey along the route proposed for its oil pipeline, the tribe’s historic preservation officer testified Wednesday.

The officer said the tribe expected to go through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but that didn’t occur.

A company lawyer’s cross-examination of the officer showed the company’s consultant had made attempts to reach the tribe by letter and email.

The officer, Waste’ Win Young, told the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission that the tribal government considers the process incomplete.

Read it all here.

If they refuse to participate on the front end, their comments shouldn’t be given much weight on the tail.

24 thoughts on “Tribe tries to stonewall Dakota Access by refusing to sit at the table.”

  1. Don’t the tribes usually run cultural resource surveys through the Army Corps of Engineers? The Corps is supposed to meet with tribal officials later this month. Dakota Access wants to just ram this through without following normal channels.

  2. Additionally, why can’t a tribe simply bar a pipeline from passing through their land? I know y’all hate the term “tribal sovereignty” but doesn’t it still exist, at least in part?

    1. I know y’all white guilt-filled whitey haters love to jump to conclusions, but gee whiz, don’t facts matter anymore?

      Of course, you’ve inadvertently stumbled into the primary problem with the reservation system: little to NO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT because of endless intratribal squabbles and incompetence.

    2. The RCJ article calls them “Aboriginal Lands” – not actually part of the Standing Rock Reservation. There may/may not be cultural sites in the path – hence the need to study and meet with all interested parties. The tribe sounds like they’re waiting for the Corps to put everything together.

      The pipeline sounds like they’re getting tired of waiting for the tribe and corps to get their act together, and have attempted this “end-around” by trying to deal with the tribe directly. Sort of like how when the insurance company calls to have you settle quickly because their client mowed you down in the crosswalk.

  4. Apart from the “whitey haters” bit, thanks to the other commenters for addressing my questions! Much appreciated

    1. ” I know y’all hate the term “tribal sovereignty” “‘

      Now, why would we’all “hate the term “tribal sovereignty” ?

      Why would you do that?

  5. The Tribes have a unique legal interest in any land transaction within the boundaries of the Treaty of Laramie. Not sure what all their arguments are, Pat, but the simple answer to your first question on this post is ‘Yes.’ If you considered the land in question to have already been taken from you illegally once, how enthusiastic would you be to show up at the bargaining table the next go-round? Just sayin’.

    1. Taken once?

      The Tribes have been awarded millions of dollars for their land.

      They no longer own it.

      Move on.

      Unless of course you’ve assigned perpetual victimhood to a group, then I’m sure you’ll use the decades-old outrage to maintain the racist condescension.

      BTW, when will the Sioux/Lakota/Dakota allow suits to be brought for their illegal actions in the Dakota War of 1862? Or for reparations to the Ponca? Or the Blackfeet?

      1. Complete nonsense. Not worth arguing except to say thanks for reinforcing my point.

        1. I refuted your point about land ownership.

          As for your condescending racism, I leave that for others to judge whether it’s a character flaw or a simple misdirected & ignorant comment.

          1. I hear the short bus honking outside, PC. Better jump back on it or you’ll miss breakfast.

            1. So much for a discussion.

              From now on Billy, I will emulate your approach: anyone who questions my comments will be attacked.

              It will make for enlightening discussions….

              or wallows of closed-mindedness.

              1. Not to worry, PC, the world won’t end if you can’t have a dialogue with me. You really are a drama queen, aren’t you? Sad. Pathetic.

                1. Drama? Like this:

                  –.’ If you considered the land in question to have already been taken from you illegally once, how enthusiastic would you be to show up at the bargaining table the next go-round? Just sayin’.

                  –I hear the short bus honking outside, PC. Better jump back on it or you’ll miss breakfast.

                  You’re suffering from undiagnosed projection.

                  If you can’t stand being criticized & questioned, move on to some place else. Either man up or get off the pot.

                  You ain’t no prima donna.

                    1. I try not to feed ’em. This is what always happens when I do. Last time, PC. Go peddle your papers.

                    2. That’s the best you have????

                      You post a comment like,

                      “If you considered the land in question to have already been taken from you illegally once, ”

                      and you’re surprised that someone calls you out on your racist condescension?

                      Your best response: troll.

                      There’s a recent rule around the blogs: call someone a troll and you lose the argument.

                      You lose.

  6. What “cultural resources?”
    Seriously, I lived on Standing Rock for two years, what are they talking about? only things that come to mind are the McLaughlin laundromat, a good steakhouse at Mahto, pow-wow grounds in Little Eagle, and then there’s Selfridge, which somebody figured was the safest place to be during a nuclear war.

  7. The land is a wonderful resource that the Government holds in trust. They need to give up the control and let the Natives own their own land. When one has ownership, they take a pride and care of their property. The government needs to stop the greedy behavior by controlling and owning the Indian people. The BIA should be abolished.,

  8. tara volesky “they take a pride and care of their property.” ever spent much time on the rez? there is garbage, abandoned cars and wild dogs running all over. houses have no doors in the winter and just blankets hanging in the front doorway to shelter them from the cold. houses are stripped for anything valuable like copper to sell for drugs and alcohol. tribal corruption

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