Nov 1, 2016 - Northwest Tribes Bring United Front Against Dakota Access Pipeline and Proposed Coal and Oil Terminals

Seattle, WA- On October 29th, a coalition of Northwest Tribal citizens, Urban Natives, environmentalists and representatives from Black Lives Matter held a joint action to show both solidarity against the Dakota Access pipeline and continued resistance against the numerous proposed coal and oil terminals throughout Coast Salish territory.

Over the past several years, oil, gas and coal companies have turned their sights on the Pacific Northwest as a destination to export Bakken and Tar Sands crude and coal.

Northwest Tribes have vigorously fought these proposed projects and are winning with a powerful alliance of Tribal government leaders, grassroots Urban Native organizers, environmentalists, and support from other social justice movements.

This past year, the Lummi Nation, with support from this coalition, defeated the proposed Gateway Pacific coal export terminal, which would have been North America’s largest coal export terminal. Similar victories over proposed coal export terminals were won as four other proposed sites were defeated. A proposed coal export terminal in the Port of Vancouver is still being reviewed.

Recently, the Swinomish Nation defeated a proposed oil by rail terminal the was to be built at Cherry Point in Anacortes, WA.

Efforts are currently underway to support the Quinault Nation to defeat a proposed oil by rail export terminal at Greys Harbor.

On Saturday, this growing coalition rallied again to show its opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline and local issues.

Women’s warrior song