As Chairwoman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, I take offense to the jury verdict in the Energy Transfer SLAPP lawsuit against Greenpeace. We expect more from North Dakota judges and members of the jury from our neighboring communities.

Energy Transfer’s claims in this case were ridiculous. They were wholly disrespectful of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, our ancestors, and our youth, who started the movement in 2016 to protect our water from an oil spill from DAPL. Neither Greenpeace nor anyone else paid or persuaded Standing Rock to oppose DAPL. Our young people and our elders urged us to protect our water and unci makah (grandmother earth). That is what happened, and is happening still. Energy Transfer’s false and self-serving narrative that Greenpeace manipulated Standing Rock into protesting DAPL is patronizing and disrespectful to our people. We understand that many Morton County residents support the oil industry, even out-of-state pipeline companies such as Energy Transfer. But we are your neighbors, and you should not be fooled that easily. Energy Transfer does not know us. They don’t know who we are – an Indigenous Nation that has survived every attack because our ancestors are with us.

Greenpeace did not manipulate Standing Rock, but Energy Transfer has manipulated Morton County. DAPL crosses our Treaty and aboriginal land for hundreds of miles. Our ancestors
occupied this land for thousands of years before North Daklota came into existence. The land between the Heart and Missouri River are our unceded Treaty lands under the 1868 and 1851 Fort
Laramie Treaties. Our aboriginally-occupied territories extend east to the James River and beyond. That is a historical truth. If Greenpeace can be held liable for telling the truth about Sioux Nation Treaty rights, then we are all in trouble.

The construction of Fort Rice on our northern boundary in 1864 was a violation of the Fort Laramie Treaties. This required our Tribe to be vigilant. No one should be surprised that warrior
society burials are found in this area, near the pipeline route. And do not insult our cultural experts, who have wisdom over matters most residents of Morton County or bureaucrats at the State
Historical Society know absolutely nothing about. Energy Transfer and its lawyers should be ashamed of themselves. Everyday North Dakotans on the jury should know better.
When it comes to the excessive police and private security response to the generally peaceful protests at Cannon Ball, believe your eyes. The scenes of guard dogs menacing Tribal
members are reminiscent of the violence of white supremacists in the deep south during the 1950’s and 60’s, but it was in North Dakota, in this day and age. It was on the news and on the internet.
Many of the protesters were Native American veterans of the United States armed forces. Energy Transfer used attack dogs against peaceful protesters and war heroes. But the jury sided with the
out-of-state, unlicensed security with the attack dogs, instead of North Dakota veterans who supported Standing Rock.

A Texas oil company has come to North Dakota, and its lawyers and propaganda machine are weaving stories about how the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and our supporters have lied, and
how the poor pipeline company, a trillion dollars richer than in 2016 when this all started, should receive extra millions from non-profit organizations. It’s a funny thing about liars – they always
accuse everyone else of lying. The Greenpeace trial was marked by secrecy. The court is not making the transcript public. The documents obtained by Greenpeace about Energy Transfer’s terrible safety record are protected by a secrecy order and are not available to the public. The judge exhibited so much bias in favor of Energy Transfer that a team of international human rights lawyers felt compelled to monitor the trial. One prominent monitor stated “In my six decades of legal practice, I have never witnessed a trial as unfair as the one against Greenpeace that just ended in the courts of North Dakota.”

Standing Rock has tried to work for greater transparency on DAPL. It is our experience with the Army Corps of Engineers and Energy Transfer that all documents relating to DAPL pipeline safety are heavily redacted, and kept secret. What are they hiding? Who is looking out for the communities that may be affected by an oil spill? And why didn’t the North Dakota court allow Greenpeace to address these questions at the trial?

DAPL is a dangerous pipeline. It crosses our unceded Treaty and aboriginal land. Energy Transfer destroyed Tribal burials as identified by our cultural experts, and committed violence against our people. That is the history that North Dakota and Morton County must reckon with. After the Greenpeace verdict, that day seems farther off than ever.

Press Release for Missing Young Person Renzo Bull Head

Bismarck, ND- March 22, 2025 –

This morning, a comprehensive briefing took place in the ongoing search for Renzo Bull Head, a missing 20-year-old student who was aLending United Tribes Technical College. The search has mobilized nearly 100 dedicated volunteers from various tribes and regions, reflecRng the profound support and compassion within our communites. Renzo was last seen on March 16, 2025, walking across the railroad bridge near Mandan, ND. The search effort, which includes teams with boats, drones, horse units, and search dogs, is underway to locate Renzo and bring him back to his family. The Mandan Police Department has provided ongoing updates and has pledged to enhance communicaRon and empathy towards Renzo’s family during this distressing time. It is crucial that the public respects the searchers’ efforts and prioriRzes compassion for the volunteers.

Chairwoman Alkire of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe expressed profound gratitude to the volunteers and neighboring tribes for their
unwavering support. “We want to thank all those who have come together to assist in the search for Renzo including our sister
tribes from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The outpouring of love and resources from the communities of Bismarck
and Mandan has been truly heartening. We recognize that this is a challenging time for Renzo’s family, and it is a stark reminder of
the growing number of missing persons in our tribal communities. However, in the face of adversity, we are reminded of the
strength found in our unity.”

A moment of prayer was observed, led by Renzo’s grandfather, who urged searchers to carry good intentions in their hearts and to seek guidance from the earth, water, and animals in their quest to locate Renzo. A debriefing will take place at 6:00 PM at the UTTC Gym in the multipurpose room. Renzo’s family continues to express their heartfelt plea for compassion and assistance in their search for their son, nephew, brother, and cousin. They are deeply appreciative of the collaborative efforts among tribes and organizations dedicated to expanding search operations which include,
– Mandan Police Department, Bismarck Police, and North Dakota Highway Patrol.
– United Tribes Technical College has opened their campus to us.
– The Spirit Lake Tribe has dispatched a team of experienced searchers along with drones for aerial support.
– The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation is contributing boats and sonar technology for critical waterway support.
– The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa has deployed emergency response crafts and is working closely with Burleigh County
Emergency Services.
– The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is continuing to provide additional watercraft support in the coming days.
– The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe joined the efforts with their search parties and watercraft.
– Bloodhounds trained in water scent tracking are en route from Minnesota.
All areas are open for search efforts, except for land owned by BNP, which remains restricted. We extend our sincerest thanks to all
volunteers and community members for their assistance and compassion during this difficult time.
## END ##
For media inquiries, please contact:
Family of Renzo Bull Head Vicki M. Alberts, Spirit Lake Tribe Public Relations
Email: VickiA@spiritlakenation.com
Phone: 701-381-0789

PRESS RELEASE

March 19, 2025

Statement on Missing Report of Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Member Renzo Bullhead

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has been in contact with the family of tribal member Renzo Bullhead, and the Mandan and Burleigh County Law Enforcement authorities. At this time the tribe is awaiting further updates and guidance from the family and law enforcement authorities regarding the missing person report. As of this morning, the authorities are investigating and have agencies involved to search. Please keep the family in prayer as we are waiting for further updates.

RENZO BULLHEAD PRESS RELEASE 3.19.2025