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Michigan Potawatomi Protest Pipeline

James MacPherson
/
AP Photo

Members of a Michigan Indian tribe are heading west to help fight a controversial oil pipeline. The Gun Lake Band of Potawatomi says some members of the tribe based in Allegan County will go to North Dakota. It says they'll help support efforts by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to block the Dakota Access Pipeline project.

Stand Rock tribal leaders say federal officials improperly approved the 1,100-mile line without consulting the tribe, even though it crosses its reservation.

Standing Rock tribal officials also say a spill from the pipeline could contaminate the reservation's water supply.

The project has sparked protests and led to arrests in North Dakota and Iowa.

Supporters of the project say it's an important part of the nation's energy infrastructure.

Andy Robins has been WMUK's News Director since 1998 and a broadcast journalist for over 24 years. He joined WMUK's staff in 1985. Under his direction, WMUK has received numerous awards for news reporting.