With Republican lawmakers continuing to ignore the growing #NoDAPL movement, Democrats on Capitol Hill are taking matters into their own hands.
The Democrats on the House Committee on Natural Resources are hosting a forum on Capitol Hill on Thursday to look into the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. They have invited tribal leaders and youth to discuss their efforts to protect sacred sites and cultural resources.
“As Lakota people we know we have to protect our water for the sake of future generations, our children and children everywhere," said Harold Frazier, the chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, who will be among those testifying at the forum.
"We have seen how other communities have been shattered when the government fails to protect their water– the Navajo Nation downstream from the Gold King Mine leak and the little children of Flint, Michigan whose water was full of lead, not to mention the devastating impacts that result from oil spills and pipeline leaks all over this nation," Frazier said.
Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Arizona), the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, went to the #NoDAPL encampment earlier this month to see the struggle first-hand. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-California), the top Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, also visited the site, where thousands have gathered to resist the pipeline.
Grijalva and Ruiz have asked their Republican counterparts to convene a hearing on issues facing tribes and infrastructure projects but one hasn't been scheduled. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hasn't taken interest either.
Thursday's forum -- titled "Taking a Stand: Protecting Water and Native American Sacred Sites and Cultural Resources at Standing Rock" -- takes place at 1:30pm Eastern in Room 210 of the Cannon House Office Building. It will be streamed live at bit.ly/2ddJTOs
Tribal witnesses who have been invited to testify include:
• The Honorable Dave Archambault II, Chairman, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
• The Honorable Harold Frazier, Chairman, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
• The Honorable Faith Spotted Eagle, Ihanktonwan Oyate Spiritual Leader and Elder
• The Honorable Wendsler Nosie, Councilman, Apache Stronghold
• The Honorable Gracey Claymore, Member, Standing Rock Youth Council
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