Saskatoon protesters say Dakota Access pipeline would have consequences for Saskatchewan

Protesters attending a rally against the Dakota Access pipeline in Saskatoon on Sunday said the outcome of the project has potential consequences for Saskatchewan. 

The group gathered outside Midtown Plaza at about 12 p.m. CST, and walked to the Broadway Bridge carrying signs with slogans such as "no surrender" and "water is life." 

Don Kossick, who is part of the Kisiskatchewan Water Alliance Network, went to the protest after he heard about it on Facebook. 

He said he joined the rally not only to show support for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, but to express concerns about pipelines in Saskatchewan.  

Kossick noted the federal government's approval of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline, which will cross Saskatchewan on its way from Alberta to Wisconsin. 

"That puts us in a real danger of having more pipeline spills and my concern is that we haven't resolved the Husky oil spill yet," he said. 

He said there was a connection between the issues driving protests at Standing Rock and in Saskatchewan. 

Desmond Joyea, who was also at the Saskatoon protest, believes the Dakota Access pipeline puts Saskatchewan waterways at risk. 

He said water quality is already a problem at the White Bear First Nation, where he is originally from, about 200 kilometres southeast of Regina. 

"We have probably 200 [oil] rigs on a reserve and our water is no good to drink," said Joyea.

"We have to go to the nearest town to buy water to drink." 

Protesters led by more than 90 Indigenous groups from across North America have been camping since April at the site of the Dakota Access pipeline. 

The $3.8-billion, four-state project would carry oil from North Dakota to Illinois.