Title
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE’S EFFORT TO PROTECT SACRED TRIBAL LANDS AND THE MISSOURI RIVER.
Body
BY COUNCILORS ANDERSON AND WESTERLUND:
WHEREAS, the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is slated to transport up to 570,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the oil fields in North Dakota to Illinois, passing over land sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and crossing or running under 209 rivers, creeks, lakes, and tributaries including the Missouri River;
WHEREAS, since 2010 over 3,300 incidents of crude oil and liquefied natural gas leaks or ruptures have occurred on U.S. pipelines;
WHEREAS, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has determined that the proposed route of the DAPL creates a significant threat to the sole source of drinking water for their people and will disturb sacred tribal lands;
WHEREAS, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their supporters have gathered at the Sacred Stones Camp to resist the construction of the DAPL;
WHEREAS, on November 21, 2016, the Duluth Indigenous Commission passed a resolution of support for the Standing Rock Sioux and the Sacred Stones Camp, attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Duluth share an interest in protecting water resources and affirming the contribution and cultural resources of Native Americans.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Duluth city council supports the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to the construction of the DAPL across sacred tribal lands and the water shed of the Missouri River.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s effort to protect sacred tribal lands and the Missouri River.