"Activists and leaders reflect on Standing Rock a decade on: ‘I would do it again’", 22 September 2026

Ten years after major demonstrations against the Dakota Access pipeline, tribal leaders and Native American organizers returned to the Standing Rock Sioux reservation this week to honor the movement and its lasting impacts.

... Manape LaMere – an original headsman from the 2016 council and a member of the Sioux nation – retrieved the original coals and lit the fire as he had 10 years ago... “When we sacrifice in camp the way we did, all that hardship and all that beauty, I always encourage people to call their spirit back... But because we got evicted the way we did, a lot of us may not have received that message, and I’ve seen people struggle.”

... Reunion attendees... reflected on how the often-violent standoffs between protesters and law enforcement in 2016 left many with lingering trauma.

... [In addition, T]he inaugural People of the Sun event brought together renewable energy groups, activists and performers for a three-day summit focusing on clean energy solutions. Speakers and panelists said that the protests 10 years ago underscored the need for Native reservations to build more sustainable energy systems that align with tribal values...