The situation in North Dakota is complex, many lives are being impacted: the people of Standing Rock, those working in the Bakken, government officials, law enforcement and the national guard.  Costs and needs are rising on all fronts.

Energy Transfer has said the 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline, which is nearly finished, would be a more efficient and safer means to transport oil from the Bakken shale of North Dakota. The only work left in North Dakota is the segment to run under Lake Oahe.

It is the final large segment of the $3.8 billion, 1,200-mile pipeline to carry North Dakota oil to a shipping point in Illinois that’s been held up while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers consults with the Standing Rock Sioux, who believe the project could harm the tribe’s drinking water and Native American cultural sites.  The Corps’ decision, announced December 4, 2016, is to deny construction under a dammed section of the Missouri River, and to look for alternative routes. Read more here.

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota Area issued the following statement.  “The situation in North Dakota continues to grow and impact the lives of so many. I encourage everyone to adhere to Bishop Rueben Job’s three simple rules: do no harm, do good, stay in love with God. Violence is not the answer. We must help all of those who are in need because of the current situation, those at Standing Rock, those in the Bakken and our government officials. Prayer is the most powerful tool we have. Let us use it. Let us pray for peace with justice for all of God’s people”

United Methodist presence at Standing Rock

Several United Methodist agencies, Bishop Bruce R. Ough, clergy and laity have visited the encampments at Standing Rock. Read more here.

Donations to support the encampment at Standing Rock have come in from United Methodists across the country.  Pastor Mike and Libby Flowers, Spirit Lake ministry center have been coordinating the donations. Photo: A view of the Oceti Sakowin Camp, north of the Cannonball River, where people have gathered to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline. David Goldman/AP

“We have made three trips to the camp with donations and brought winter clothing, sleeping bags, energy supplies—solar panels, wind generators. We have also brought supplies to medical personnel, ” said Mike Flowers.

Flowers describes the situation at Standing Rock as ever changing. Spirit Lake Nation has had a presence since August; members of Flowers’ congregation have camped there. The congregation made a separate visit to the main encampment in late October.

Spirit Lake ministry center hosts the Native American Indigenous Youth Caucus each fall. The youth made a journey to Standing Rock to participate in circle prayer with Flowers.

Arrests and violence are up at Standing Rock.  A lot of non-native people are present. Of the estimated 570 arrests, only 8 % arrested were from North Dakota. Several elders of Standing Rock and others have moved away from the main encampment to Sacred Stone camp just outside of Cannon Ball, N.D.

“We have backed off from giving to the main camp. We are now giving to the one closer to Cannon Ball, Sacred Stone. Once it began to be violent, the main camp changed, the peaceful and prayer-filled mood is gone,” described Flowers.

There are still several Native Americans and others who are in the encampments. Flowers reports that there is a continuing need to provide support to the elders. “Prayers are the best way we can support them, “ said Flowers.

If you would like to money for donate supplies, donations can be sent to the Dakotas Conference, PO Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301 or donate online. Make sure to write “Standing Rock” in the memo.  Mike and Libby Flowers, directors at Spirit Lake Ministry Center will coordinate the purchase and deliver of needed supplies.

Financial donations for general operations, legal fees and other expenses can be directed to the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, 602 SW 35th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73109, or can be made online.  Make sure to indicate “Standing Rock” when making a donation.

United Methodists presence in the Bakken

United Methodists have set up two ministries in the Bakken to serve the ever-growing need of the region: Bakken Oil Rush Ministry in Watford City and Out in Faith Ministry in Williston, N.D.

North Dakota has attracted thousands from across the United States and abroad, as oil companies set up hydraulic fracturing, or fracking operations, that extract tens of billions of dollars' worth of oil and gas from the Bakken shale.

The decrease in oil prices has caused the industry to cut hours and slow down exploration. Many families are experiencing loss of income but not a loss of expenses. Photo: A wellhead near Watford City, ND in 2016. By Dave Stucke, Dakotas UMC Communications.

North Dakota saw a 200 percent jump in homelessness in 2014, the biggest increase of any state. There are now 2,069 homeless people in the state of 699,628, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That translates into 28.6 homeless people per 10,000. The national average is 19.

The number of homeless in the Bakken area is 986, according to estimates.

There are no homeless shelters in Watford City, Williston and the surrounding communities. The municipalities do not have the resources to cope with the needs of people that are jobless, under employed or homeless.

United Methodists have set up two ministries in the Bakken to serve the ever-growing need of the region.  Bakken Oil Rush Ministry in Watford City, N.D. operates a warehouse and thrift store, as well as a worship fellowship event twice a month and community fellowship events.

Out in Faith Ministry in Williston, N.D. provides weekly meal with worship called G.I.F.T. —God in Faith Together.  The ministry also provides outerwear, blankets, personal care items, phone cards, and small household items to those in need.

United Methodists serve in law enforcement

“We must be careful to not assume that everyone is opposed to the pipeline or that everyone is making money in big oil,” said Rev. Kermit Culver, district superintendent for the Sakakawea District serving Bismarck, N.D., and the Bakken Oil Field. “We have congregations in the heart of the Bakken, hundreds of United Methodists in law enforcement, the National Guard and state government. They all need our support and prayers.”

The state of North Dakotas estimates the cost of policing the protests is up to more than $11.8 million, according to state Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong. The department will seek another $7 million in emergency borrowing on top of the $10 million borrowed earlier this year, Fong said. Morton County also has spent more than $8 million policing protests, and county officials have said they may apply for state reimbursement. Photo: North Dakota law enforcement officers and more than 200 protestors form lines in front of one another recently near a Dakota Access Pipeline construction site northwest of Cannon Ball, ND. Photo from Rapid City Journal.

The North Dakota National Guard has deployed Christopher Hanson, executive administrator and music director at Fargo Faith UMC, for an indefinite amount of time to serve at Standing Rock.  He has been on assignment since mid-November to help with safety and supply issues.  Hanson is taking care of a portion of church business remotely by phone, text and e-mail while he is activated with the Army National Guard. Hanson was elected Dakotas Conference Secretary in June 2016. He has resigned that position because of his deployment.

"I'm working 8 p.m.—8a.m. shifts seven days a week indefinietely. It appears this will be going on for some time." said Hanson. "With the added stress, I just couldn't justify my ability to contribute time to the Conference job."