The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) executive called on the United States government and the United Nations to intervene in the police actions being taken against water protectors at Standing Rock, North Dakota.
Last month a group of residents of Cote First Nation visited Standing Rock in support of the peaceful protest against the proposed oil pipeline.
“The violence against our brothers and sisters at Standing Rock is escalating,” said Bobby Cameron, FSIN Chief. “It’s time for the U.S. government and the United Nations to intervene and hold the pipeline companies and the county sherriff’s department accountable for their brutal actions.”
“The next President of the United States must take serious action to ensure our Indigenous’ lands and waters are protected and not cater to industry,” Cameron said.
“The police and the National Guard are working in service to an industry, using force on peaceful water protectors,” he said. “As stewards of the land, First Nations have a responsibility to protect their land and water in their tribal territory without fear of violence.”
“We have the rights to life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security of person. This is articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The UN declaration applies to industry and governments here in Canada when it comes to projects that impact our traditional territories.”
According to the second part of UNDRIP Article 29, “States shall take effective measures to ensure that no storage or disposal of hazardous materials shall take place in the lands or territories of indigenous peoples without their free, prior and informed consent,” said a release from FSIN Communications.
The Dakota Access Pipeline currently under construction would cross underneath the Missouri River, which runs through the Standing Rock tribal lands, the release said. A spill at this crossing would poison the water supply for millions of people along the river including the people of Standing Rock.
“This pipeline goes right through their traditional territory; right under their water supply,” said Cameron. “The people are resisting this development peacefully and they’re being beaten and arrested; facing down weapons, attack dogs and armored vehicles. How much more blood must be drawn before there is a stop to the violence?”
The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, it said. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.
