Amid Pipeline Protests, North Dakota Lawmakers Cancel Traditional Tribal Address

In light of ongoing Dakota Access Pipeline protest activities and increased demand on law enforcement, lawmakers broke tradition Thursday by canceling the traditional State of the Judiciary Address and Tribal-State Relationship message held during the first week of the upcoming legislative session.

 

Following the decision, a backup plan was arranged between members of leadership and the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission to have tribal leaders meet privately with both parties' leadership during the opening days of the session to air concerns and propose legislative ideas.

 

The motion was brought forward by House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, at the end of the two-day meeting of North Dakota Legislative Management in the state House chambers.

 

“Because of the burden placed upon the Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies, it is in the best interests of the Legislative Assembly and law enforcement to not further contribute to the depletion of those resources and place additional burdens upon law enforcement,” Carlson said in his motion.