{"id":63570,"date":"2026-04-30T12:44:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T12:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ndncollective.org\/?p=63570"},"modified":"2026-04-30T12:44:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T12:44:54","slug":"breaking-community-members-take-direct-action-to-stop-drilling-at-pe-sla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ndncollective.org\/breaking-community-members-take-direct-action-to-stop-drilling-at-pe-sla\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking: Community Members Take Direct Action to Stop Drilling at Pe\u2019 Sla","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rapid City, SD<\/strong> \u2013 Today at Pe\u2019 Sla, community members are taking direct action, putting their bodies on the line by holding ceremony at two drill pads. Multiple drill pads are now actively operating, some within the 2-mile buffer zone protected by a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Forest Service and Lakota Tribes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A livestream of the action can be viewed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Map<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u00a0The above map is a visual aid for informational use only. It was compiled from numerous sources to estimate the location of drill pads in relation to Pe\u2019 Sla and the two mile protective buffer zone put in place by the U.S. Forest Service and tribes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2016, parts of Pe\u2019 Sla that had been purchased by tribes were placed in federal trust for protection and cultural use. At least ten drill pads are within a 2-mile buffer zone agreed upon by tribes and the U.S. Forest Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drilling has started<\/u><\/a> despite widespread public opposition, no environmental review, and an active lawsuit<\/u><\/a> against the project filed by NDN Collective, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, and Earthworks on April 2. The lawsuit cites violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and threats to lands long recognized for their religious and cultural importance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this week, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit also filed motions<\/u><\/a> for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the drilling before more irreversible damage is done to the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPe\u2019 Sla is our sacred land, and we are doing everything we can to protect it,\u201d said Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Director of He Sapa Initiatives at NDN Collective.<\/strong> \u201cWe will not cease our ceremony in the face of destruction, disrespect, and illegal drilling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe damage done at Pe\u2019 Sla is irreparable,\u201d said Wizipan Garriott, president of NDN Collective.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe U.S. Forest Service\u2019s decision to move forward so audaciously breaks their own commitments, protocols, and laws \u2014 which should ring alarm bells across the country. We\u2019re not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

###<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDN Collective<\/em><\/a> 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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW CONTACT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

cabot@ndncollective.org<\/h3>\n\n\n\n