Red Power: Standing Rock Part II: Film Analysis

Starting in April 2016, thousands of people, led by Standing Rock Sioux Tribal members, gathered at camps near the crossing of the Missouri and Cannon Ball Rivers to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Since then, the movement to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline continues to draw growing support from across the country even as the chances of its success dwindle day by day. The Native Americans are fighting for environmental justice and they will not stop until they receive justice. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (2017) defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation,

Living in a clean community with fresh air and water should be a fundamental right for everyone. Often in America, the preponderance of low income and minority communities are subject to be exposed to air pollution and contaminated water. The work of the protestors at Standing Rock is shown in the film Red Power: Standing Rock Part II. Red Power: Standing Rock Part II is an inspiring film because it shows the proper way to fight against the government to save your community and it also shows how the women tribal members have led the movement.

Protesters and activists have worked desperately to delay construction of the pipeline, demanding that it be rerouted away from Native lands. Although the protesters thus far have been nonviolent, law enforcement has not demonstrated the same decency. The film Red Power: Standing Rock Part II. Red Power: Standing Rock Part II shows how the

Indigenous women have always fought on the front lines, defending tribal rights and protecting their families during conflict, and the Dakota Access Pipeline protest is no different. The women of the tribe are the leaders in this environmental justice effort because they are tired of their communities being targeted by the government (Berila, 2006). This power that Indigenous women have is vital to the progression of Native movements like the Dakota Access Pipeline protest, but it also catalyzes the oppression that these women face. According to Fisher (2016), the power and confidence wielded by Native women makes them the target of epidemic levels of violence, sexual assault, imprisonment, and cultural and political disempowerment. The actions and protests against the Dakota Access pipeline could not have yielded success if it had not been for the participation of the Native American women water protectors as they took on a leadership role in the months-long protests in North Dakota against the oil