FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2021
Contact: Aprill Turner, 202-499-0102; Cabot Petoia, 828 899-9239
NDN@megaphonestrategies.com
Rapid City, SD — Today, in response to the news that President Biden is carrying through his campaign promise to rescind President Donald Trump’s permit allowing the Keystone XL oil pipeline to cross the border into the U.S., as well as his continued vow to rejoin the Paris agreement, NDN Collective released the following statements:
The KXL pipeline was set to go through the heart of the Oceti Sakowin Territory. The people came together, resisted the fossil fuel industry and stood up for our lands, water and rights. We will continue to resist and fight. We look forward to collaborating with the Biden administration in closing the DAPL pipeline and stopping the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline. These are Indigenous lands and we need to return them to Indigenous hands to protect them, combat climate change and build a better tomorrow. Let this be a warning to the fossil fuel industry that when you come into Oceti Sakowin lands, you will be met with resistance, organized power, and a spirit of a people who will never be broken.
— Nick Tilsen, President & CEO of NDN Collective
Chi-miigwech (many thank you’s) to President-elect Biden for keeping his promise to the people by rescinding the KXL permit. In this moment, I think of our children and the radically different futures that they deserve. I also think of our water protectors, our frontline fighters, and all others who have prayed and who have been fighting this pipeline project for more than a decade. Especially those who are no longer with us. Thank you. There is more work ahead in undoing the harmful acts of the Trump administration, and we will organize forward.
— Korina Barry, NDN Action Managing Director, NDN Collective
“It is affirming to see the Biden-Harris administration uphold their promises, especially after four years of lies and attacks to Indigenous lands and rights. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration to confront the climate crisis and environmental injustice throughout this country with bold, Indigenous-led solutions. In addition, we are hopeful by the action to rejoin the Paris Agreement, this is one step in the right direction to build climate justice, and we are dedicated to ensuring that Indigenous rights and Peoples are centered in that document. Lastly, I want to honor decades of work led by Indigenous grassroots organizers — because of them, KXL has been defeated not once but twice, and future generations will have a safer planet because of their determination.
— Jade Begay, Climate Justice Director, NDN Collective
New president, same system. We must get to work to dismantle the pillars that have allowed greed and selfishness to nurture the roots of white supremacy in this country. Our shared responsibilities will fulfill the dream of our ancestors. It is possible to live in a world where stewardship of natural resources is dictated by intelligence and balance. The lies and manipulation of the fossil fuel industry can no longer be accepted as truth. Profits over people must no longer be tolerated if we are to live to see better days.
— Andrew Catt-Iron Shell, Organizer, NDN Collective
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NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.
