Angus Mordant, Australian-born New York-based photojournalist has centred his latest body of work on the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, documenting the Standing Rock Sioux in moments of conflict and solidarity in their ongoing fight against the pipeline. The Dakota Access Pipeline, a 1,172-mile underground pipeline expected to transport crude oil from the Bakken region in North Dakota to an oil tank farm in Patoka, Illinois, became a topic of protest in 2016 due to the environmental and cultural issues that it brings with it, as approximately 30 miles of the pipeline cuts through contested Sioux territory and a leak could have severe environmental impacts. The seven bands of the Sioux gathered at the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers outside the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and lit the Seven Council Sacred Fire for the first time since the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876, marking the formation of the Oceti Sakowin Camp which, along with several smaller surrounding encampments became the hub of protest actions against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Angus Mordant said of his interest in documenting the situation: “I was interested in the unprecedented gathering of Native American tribes – a historic event in its in its own right… I watched reports of private security using attack dogs against peaceful protesters while construction workers allegedly desecrated sacred sites. Unsure of the exact situation on the ground and determined to learn more, I booked my first flight and arrived at the Oceti Sakowin Camp.” Angus Mordant’s photographs show not only the tension and violence that has resulted from these protests, but also the rich culture and moments of celebration amongst the Native American people as they come together to protect their land.
 An unidentified man removes a Mohawk Warrior Society flag from his campsite before leaving the Oceti Sakowin Camp in a lull between two blizzards.  The Mohawk Warrior Society gained notoriety in 1990 during a heated land dispute in the town of Oka in Quebec, Canada.
Layha Spoonhunter, 26, of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, was one of the first people I met after arriving at the Oceti Sakowin Camp.  Layha is a passionate pow wow dancer and performed at both of President Barack Obama’s inaugurations. He was a driving force in inspiring large numbers of youth to get involved with the noDAPL movement. Layha hopes to one day be the first Native American president of the United States of America.
Riot Police used mace, tazers, less-lethal rounds, and sound cannons while clearing a small satellite encampment. Of the approximately 250 residents of the camp, over 140 were arrested. Â The small encampment, located 2 miles north of the main camp, was set up directly in the path of the Dakota Access Pipeline on land which was never seceded by the Sioux since the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie.
 Glenn Scott, 60, of the Chippewa Tribe and an army veteran, participates in a march of over 2000 veterans from the Oceti Sakowin Camp to a police road block just north of camp.  Thousands of veterans deployed to Standing Rock to support the protest movement and offering to act as a human shield against police force.
Stanley Perry (centre, yellow jacket), 53, from the Navajo Nation leads the front of a protest march to a sacred burial site. The sacred site was destroyed by the Dakota Access Pipeline only days after the Standing Rock Sioux tribe revealed its location in a federal court injunction. Stanley’s words “We are a nation within a nation. On the reservation. Who need salvation” stuck in my mind and were a driving force in my continued documentation.
‘Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota, USA – February 22nd, 2017’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 72 x 97 cm, unframed: 50 x 74 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Highway 1806, North Dakota, USA – October 27th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 105 x 149 cm, unframed: 81 x 132 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota, USA – December 5th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘1st Avenue NW, Mandan, North Dakota, USA – October 17th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Off County Road 135, North Dakota, USA – October 18th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 72 x 97 cm, unframed: 50 x 74 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Backwater Bridge on Hwy 1806, North Dakota, USA – December 5th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 72 x 97 cm, unframed: 50 x 74 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota, USA – December 7th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 72 x 97 cm, unframed: 50 x 74 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota, USA – September 29th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota, USA – September 7th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 97 x 72 cm, unframed: 74 x 50 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Backwater Bridge on Hwy 1806, North Dakota, USA – December 7th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Highway 1806, North Dakota, USA – September 9th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota, USA – December 5th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Sacred Fire, North Dakota, USA – September 10th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 72 x 97 cm, unframed: 50 x 74 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Sacred Fire, North Dakota, USA – September 11th, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Oceti Sakowin Camp, North Dakota, USA – October 3rd, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
‘Off 54th Street, St Anthony, North Dakota, USA – October 3rd, 2016’, 2017, archival pigment print, framed: 61 x 80 cm, unframed: 37 x 56 cm, edition of 7 + 1 a.p.
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