Standing Rock a 'small victory' says local water protector (5 photos)

A decision yesterday to reroute the Dakota Access Pipeline is a very small victory says a spokesperson for local water protectors.

Quinn Meawasige, one member of the collective of Bawating Water Protectors, said there is much to do across the world and closer to home during a demonstration today at the east end of the Sault.

"We are here sending a message that water is life and how important water is, how sacred it is and how important it is for our grandchildren and our collective future," said Meawasige.

The group, made up of indigenous and non-native members, held a peaceful protest today at the intersection of Highways 17 and 17B.

"We are here to pressure the governments, pressure our local MP, city council and to get the travellers on board because they might have no idea this threatens our future. We need everyone to stand together," said Meawasige.

He said the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline, which runs under the Straits of Mackinac, is 13 years past its expected life span.

A break in that pipeline, said Meawasige, would be a disaster to lakes Michigan and Huron.

"It would take generations to recover, and that is unacceptable," he said.

Yesterday’s announcement from the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the rerouting of the Dakota Access Pipeline isn’t stopping the project altogether.

“It simply means the pipeline will be rerouted — it's not saying the pipeline will be stopped. It is a small victory, but the fight continues for clean water," said Meawasige.

He also noted what he called human rights abuses by the US government against the water protectors at Standing Rock.

"We wanted to stand in solidarity to them," said Meawasige.

The larger war, said Meawasige, is the human race’s dependance on fossil fuels.

"We can't be continuing our dependency on oil. Renewable energy does exist and it is 100 per cent possible to move over to renewable energy," said Meawasige.

The word Bawating is the Anishnabe name for Sault Ste. Marie area, which has been a traditional gathering place along the banks of the St. Marys River for many years, said Meawasige.