Today is the deadline to evacuate the Oceti Sakowin camp given in an order by the Army Corps of Engineers earlier this month. https://theintercept.com/2017/02/21/video-last-stand-at-standing-rock-as-police-prepare-to-evict-pipeline-opponents/
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe had already asked the camp to be disbanded because of the danger of spring floods, but an unknown number has stayed on. Many of them have been there all winter, braving bitter cold and blizzard conditions. Some had participated in a series of direct actions resulting in clashes with county and state law enforcement. It is unclear how tomorrow's eviction will play out.
There is a great deal of confusion and conflicting reports over what has been occuring at Standing Rock; the fact that the Trump administration has given the green light to final section of the Dakota Access Pipeline under Lake Oahe on the Missouri River creating disillusionment and frustration exacerbates the situation dramatically.
Legal efforts by the Standing Rock and by the Cheyenne River Sioux tribes continue, but prospects are not encouraging. What is next for the movement to stop the DAPL, which drew such widespread attention and outpouring of support nationally and internationally? Will it be possible to continue some of the momentum developed over the past year or will it just dissipate? What has been the reality behind the scenes at the camps and in tribal government?
Host Paul Roland will try to address these questions and more with his guests, Lewis Grass Rope and Jacqueline Keeler. Grass Rope has been the traditional headman at Oceti Sakowin, which developed a traditional leadership council fire within the sprawling, messy and complex dynamics of the camp. Jacqueline Keeler has been a regular co-host with Paul for the past several months. She is a local Portland writer and activist of Yankton Dakota and Navajo/Dine' ancestry.
- KBOO