In recent discussions of Native American oil and mineral rights, a contentious issue has been whether the decimation of Native territory is acceptable due to the growing desire for fuel. On the one hand, oil extracted from the Keystone Pipeline XL, which is on Lakota Nation land, would destroy the land and have a detrimental effect on the environment. From this point of view, it would be very detrimental to their sacred land. This will pollute the water, cause problems for animals living there and increase carbon emissions. On the other hand, some argue that the pipeline is a good idea because most people, including indigenous people, rely heavily on oil today and would create more job opportunities. In the words of Captain Richard Pratt, a leading proponent of this vision: “Kill the Indian and save the man!” » According to this view, people don't care what happens to the Lakota who live on the land they want oil from. In summary, then, the question is whether oil drilling and potential pipeline leaks on Lakota territory are justified or whether they have a greater impact on the environment and the lives of the land's inhabitants. My view is that fracking and the pipeline itself, which runs through Lakota lands, will have a major environmental impact on the surrounding area, while reducing the population's exposure to chemicals. While I accept that there is a growing need for oil, I still maintain that the environmental impact outweighs the growing need for fuel. For example, mining would pollute surrounding waters and cause many other problems. Although some might object that the surrounding water is not important, I would respond that the water is important to the Lako...... middle of paper ...land which has been found to be extremely rich in oil. Once the settlers needed the earth's oil, they began trying to give them money to extract it. The government failed to protect the natives because it allowed the settlers to convince them that the property was worth less than it actually was. As for the Keystone Pipeline XL, the Nez Perce tribe used a treaty prohibiting the transportation of mining equipment through their lands. They said this violated one of the treaties and so they had to go around the border of the Nez Perce tribe to get the equipment to Alberta in Canada. The environmental effects of the Keystone Pipeline on indigenous peoples outweigh the positive effects of the transportation of crude oil. It can destroy the sacred land in different ways. Consequently, the risks of pollution and health problems are considerably increased..