After months of peaceful protests, members of the Standing Rock Sioux, as well as other Native American tribes and environmentalists, have succeeded in preventing the Dakota Access Pipeline. The particular endeavor would cross beneath Lake Oahe, which is not only a source of drinking water for Native Americans, but considered sacred land in the community.

The Army Corps of Engineers denied the Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), the developer of the pipeline, the permit to cross the Missouri river. Although most of the pipeline has been completed, the connection from Missouri across Lake Oahe has been the most controversial.

ETP responded with some harsh words that deeply contradict the joy felt within the Native American community.

“[This is] just the latest in a series of overt and transparent political actions by an administration which has abandoned the rule of law in favour of currying favour with a narrow and extreme political constituency”.

This opinion is not as popular as the ones that believe this small success is a stepping stone to repair the broken friendship the United States have had with Native Americans since the beginning of European civilization in the Americas. Army veterans as well as American citizens have come to Native American tribes after the denial of the pipeline asking for forgiveness for years of oppression and disrespect. Many view this success as not just an enviromental feat, but a step in rebuilding a friendship that has been deeply ruined by past laws and acts that affected sacred lands.

Although the Obama Administration had a part in blocking the building of the pipeline, it is rumored that President elect Donald J. Trump is in favor of the pipeline, but would negotiate with protesters to meet an agreement. Speculation that there would be conflict of interest in the matter because of Mr. Trump’s stocks in ETP have risen, but he has assured that it will not create a problem.

Among his cabinet members is Scott Pruitt, who has denied climate change and human’s role in the warming of the planet. Protesters are concerned that as Trump continues to fill his cabinet with people against the very cause they are fighting for, they will lose their battle against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The battle continues for Native Americans, and although they remain camped by the proposed pipeline construction area, many are satisfied with their success that signifies much more than just a pipeline. To quote a Native American proverb, “The land is sacred. These words are at the core of your being. The land is our mother, the rivers our blood. Take our land away and we die. That is, the Indian in us dies.” As the protests continue, people from all over the nation hope that finally, we can learn the meaning of those sacred words.