Christian Leaders Applaud Army Corps Denial of Easement for Pipeline on Standing Rock Sioux Land

The National Council of Churches of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) and Creation Justice Ministries join in expressing their deep appreciation to President Obama and the Army Corps of Engineers for the historic decision to not grant an easement for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) through the contested site in Standing Rock, North Dakota.

As previously planned, the DAPL would have transversed sovereign Sioux land considered by the Sioux to be sacred, and has already damaged tribal burial grounds. DAPL would have been placed underneath the Missouri River, potentially polluting drinking water and endangering the health of millions downstream.

Creation Justice Ministries Executive Director Shantha Ready Alonso said of the decision, “We are grateful to the Administration for this decision. The belief system that a company can take over indigenous land for profit can be traced back to the Doctrine of Discovery -- 15th century papal teachings which have historically been used to justify land theft, colonization, and genocide. Standing with the Standing Rock Sioux to defend their sacred land has been an important step by Christians to reject the Doctrine of Discovery and to rectify injustice. As Christians, we have a moral responsibility to stand with indigenous peoples to protect their sovereignty, and God’s creation.”

Creation Justice Ministries and the NCC celebrate the ways in which faith leaders have stood alongside the Water Protectors of the Standing Rock Sioux in this struggle.  Member communions of NCC and Creation Justice Ministries have sent delegations to stand in solidarity with the Sioux as they have strongly opposed the pipeline which would have run across their sacred lands. The organizations’ leaders hope this will be seen as a turning point in the troubled relationship Native Americans and Christians have often shared throughout history, that Christians will stand on the side of justice.

“This is an incredible development,” said NCC President and General Secretary Jim Winkler. “I believe the churches that stood with the Sioux made a difference.  I’m deeply grateful for NCC member communions who saw Standing Rock as a place to stand for justice. Obviously, we hope this decision will not be reversed in the coming administration.”

We join in celebrating this moment in which the words and actions of protest have been heard by our governmental leaders.  We pray that additional strides toward justice and care for the environment will be spurred by the events of the past months at Standing Rock.

Creation Justice Ministries represents the creation care policies of 38 Christian communions, including Baptists, mainline Protestants, Historically Black Churches, Peace Churches, and Orthodox communions. Learn more at creationjustice.org.

Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA has been the leading force for shared ecumenical witness among Christians in the United States. The NCC’s 38 member communions – from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches – include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the nation.

"Today a kairos time arrived on the banks of the Cannon Ball River. The Indigenous Nations of this land have found a new ally among those denominations that have stood with their commitment to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery. The commitment of the Oceti Sakowin (7 Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation) are responding to the news with generosity, forgiveness and their own call to reconciliation. We are hopeful that a new day (anpao) has begun in recognition of Treaty obligations being met by the government and people residing in Indian Country -- all of this continent." 
~ Fr. John Floberg, Episcopal Priest, Diocese of North Dakota; Lead convener of Standing Rock Clergy Action of November 2016

"We stand firmly in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in defense of their water and tribal sovereignty. We celebrate the Army Corps decision with them, but know that there is much work to do to ensure the protection of the Missouri River and respect for tribal lands."
- Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church (USA)

At November 2016 clergy gathering at Standing Rock, with more than 530 participants, crowd conducts a ceremony to burn the Doctrine of Discovery.
Photo credit: United Church of Christ

To read the Standing Rock Sioux Statement on the Easement Decision, please CLICK HERE.
To read the National Congress of American Indians Statement on Easement Decision please CLICK HERE.