Cowboys and Indians

"Cowboys and Indians" Against Keystone XL Bring Newfound Unity to DC

By Kristin Moe

This week, members of the Cowboy Indian Alliance—a coalition of tribal members, ranchers, and landowners from the Great Plains—are camping out on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., united in one cause: opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline.


Finding common cause over protection of clean water and a mistrust of the Canadian pipeline company Transcanada, they've come to meet with elected officials, connect with allies, and strengthen relationships with one another. Some, like Texas landowner Lori Collins, already have the completed portion of the pipeline running through their fields. Others who live along the path of the northern segment, which is yet to be approved, hope that a strategic partnership between natives and settlers will help prevent the same thing from happening to them.

Last Friday, President Obama announced another delay to the project. While some are frustrated by the lack of leadership, others see it as a reason to hope. As one rancher told me this morning, "Every day is a victory."