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Ten Years After Standing Rock: A Commemoration and a Look Forward
By Drooid · · How we work
Ten-Year Commemoration at Standing Rock
Tribal leaders and allies gathered on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation for a four-day encampment marking a decade since the 2016 protests against the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL). About 150 participants lit a sacred fire—*peta waken*—using coals saved from the original 2016 camp, a ritual that unites the seven councils of the Oceti Sakowin (Sioux Nation) in moments of historic and political significance. The gathering featured drum circles, ceremonies, and open-mic sessions where attendees reflected on the movement’s lasting impact.
Background and Legacy of the 2016 Protests
In 2016, protesters—often called “water protectors”—confronted law-enforcement actions that included the use of pepper spray, police dogs, and mass arrests. The standoffs drew global attention to Native-rights and climate-justice issues, yet Energy Transfer Partners completed the pipeline, which now transports up to 750,000 barrels of oil a day from North Dakota to an Illinois refinery. The 2026 encampment served both as a memorial and as a platform to discuss how the protests reshaped activism on tribal lands.
Ongoing Tribal Initiatives
The Sage Development Authority, a federally chartered corporation of the Standing Rock Sioux nation, is channeling grant funding into wind-farm projects for tribal district buildings.
Official Statements & Responses
Manape LaMere, an original headsman from the 2016 council, recalled the fire-lighting ceremony, noting, “When we sacrifice in camp the way we did, all that hardship and all that beauty, I always encourage people to call their spirit back.” These remarks underscore a collective resolve to transform past hardship into ongoing community empowerment.
Data and Impact
The DAPL’s capacity of 750,000 barrels per day illustrates the scale of the infrastructure that sparked the original protests. The 2026 gathering highlighted a shift from opposition to proactive development, with renewable projects and cultural revitalization forming the core of the Standing Rock community’s vision for the next decade.