In papers filed in federal court, Tim Mentz Sr., identified this stone feature near the Dakota Access Pipeline as a grave marker.

Dave Archambault: Dakota Access Pipeline destroys sacred sites

Dave Archambault Sr., a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the father of Chairman Dave Archambault II, offers some background on the discovery of significant cultural sites and burial grounds on private property within the path of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline:
Dave Meyers is the owner of 8,100 acres that the DAPL pipeline will be crossing to get to the Missouri River or Lake Oahe. During the last week of August, he was wondering if there was any Indian graves that might be disturbed by the construction of the pipeline.

To satisfy his curiosity, he asked Tim Mentz to assess the “corridor” route that was going to be used to host the buried pipeline. Dave Meyers was fully aware that an environmental assessment (EI) had been performed by the State Historic Preservation Office, however, these are non-Indian experts, whereas, Tim owns a company called Makoche Wowapi. His business consults Tribes regarding their archeological inheritance. In addition, Tim previously worked as a Tribal and State Historic Preservation Officer since 1985.

With Tim’s knowledge and skill, he walked the area as allowed.

On Sunday, August 29, 2016, Tim and his sons found 82 significant historical marking, of which 27 were grave locations. “ We found two places where rocks were set in a circular pattern with openings to the west, as well as other effigy designs.” Every site was professionally identified and precisely charted by computer for exact location by GPS.

Read More:
Dave Archambault Sr.: DAPL Destroys Sacred Grounds (Indian Country Today 9/6)

Relevant Documents:
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order | Declaration of Tim Mentz, Sr. | Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe's Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Response | Dakota Access Response

Join the Conversation
Related Stories:
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe disappointed with ruling in #NoDAPL case (9/6)
Dakota Access fires back at tribes ahead of hearing in federal court (9/6)
Lakota Country Times: Tribes still united at #NoDAPL encampment (9/6)
Native Sun News: Death highlights dangers of Dakota Access work (9/6)
Hearing ordered after Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reports destruction (9/5)
Army Corps backs restraining order against Dakota Access Pipeline (9/5)
Quinault Nation sends Grandfather Canoe to #NoDAPL encampment (9/5)
Sarah Sunshine Manning: Dogs attack peaceful #NoDAPL resisters (9/5)
LaDonna Brave Bull Allard: We have no choice but to defend water (9/5)
Jacqueline Keeler: #NoDAPL resistance is part of something bigger (9/5)
Steve Russell: Federal Indian law and the Dakota Access Pipeline (9/5)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reports cultural finds near pipeline path (9/2)
Mark Trahant: #NoDAPL poses test for Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine (9/2)
Native Sun News: Cartoonist brings humor to #NoDAPL movement (9/2)
Tribal activists cheer demise of controversial pipeline in Minnesota (9/2)
United Nations Forum backs Standing Rock Sioux Tribe on #NoDAPL (9/1)
Native Sun News: Northern Cheyenne Tribe joins #NoDAPL efforts (9/1)
Jim Kent: The real truth about the #NoDAPL resistance movement (9/1)
Mark Trahant: Candidate shows support for #NoDAPL movement (9/1)
Lakota Country Times: #NoDAPL roadblock remains a major issue (8/31)
Brandon Ecoffey: #NoDAPL resistance is the start of a movement (8/31)
Dave Archambault: Struggle unfolds on Standing Rock Sioux land (8/31)
Terri Miles: Indian Country unites to stare down the black snake (8/31)
Joel Heitkamp: Officials in North Dakota need a lesson in respect (8/31)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe confirms lack of easement for pipeline (8/30)
Supplies needed for #NoDAPL Defenders of Sacred Water School (8/30)
Lakota Country Times: Students witness history at pipeline camp (8/30)
Vi Waln: Media distorts peaceful nature of sacred #NoDAPL camp (8/30)
Mike Myers: Historic ties between the Haudenosaunee and Sioux (8/30)
Mark Anthony Rolo: Tribes remain at mercy of bad federal policies (8/30)
Defenders of the Water School opens at pipeline resistance camp (8/29)
Lakota Country Times: Resisters dispute emergency declaration (8/29)
Dave Archambault: Stopping the desecration of our Mother Earth (8/29)
Mark Trahant: State erects roadblock at peaceful #NoDAPL camp (8/29)
Latoya Lonelodge: Witnessing history at Camp of Sacred Stones (8/29)
Jon Eagle: Land remains sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (8/29)
Albert Bender: Tribes join together at Camp of the Sacred Stones (8/29)
Steven Newcomb: Law of Christendom at play in #NoDAPL battle (8/29)
Arvol Looking Horse: Saving our Earth from energy development (8/29)
Tribal Tribune: Unity at Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's #NoDAPL camp (8/26)
Winona LaDuke: Corporate interests come to destroy our mother (8/26)
Sarah Sunshine Manning: #NoDAPL campaign awakens our people (8/26)
Dakota Access Pipeline lacks key approval to build by reservation (8/26)
Lummi Nation sends totem pole to #NoDAPL camp in North Dakota (8/26)
Dave Archambault: Why the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is fighting (8/25)
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe chair dispels rumors about camp site (8/25)
Sen. Bernie Sanders joining opposition to Dakota Access Pipeline (8/25)
Native Sun News: Thousands join #NoDAPL resistance movement (8/25)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe sees strong support at pipeline hearing (8/24)
Kayla DeVault: Navajo Nation must take a stand on Dakota Access (8/24)
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe seeks prayers ahead of pipeline hearing (8/23)
Lakota Country Times: Oglala Sioux Tribe joins fight against pipeline (8/23)
Brandon Ecoffey: The Horse Nations prepare for battle over pipeline (8/23)
Simon Moya-Smith: Hillary Clinton remains silent amid pipeline feud (8/23)
Steven Newcomb: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe challenges domination (8/23)
Sheriff mistook sacred pipes for pipe bombs at pipeline protest site (8/23)
Tribes prepare for critical hearing in Dakota Access Pipeline lawsuit (8/22)
Mark Trahant: Pipeline fight highlights power of political organizing (8/22)
Lakota Country Times: Tribes unite to stop Dakota Access Pipeline (8/22)
Vi Waln: Our water system is being threatened by energy pipelines (8/22)
Winona LaDuke: Bigger problems ahead for Dakota Access Pipeline (8/22)
Dallas Goldtooth: Tribes shut out of Dakota Access Pipeline process (8/22)
Native Sun News: Resistance grows against Dakota Access Pipeline (08/18)
Harold Frazier: Obama must put a stop to Dakota Access Pipeline (08/15)
Tribes and Native youth join forces in campaign to stop oil pipeline (08/11)
Democrats embrace tribal sovereignty in platform for convention (07/08)
Dakota Access Pipeline to go underneath tribal burial site in Iowa (06/22)
Native Sun News: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe battles oil pipeline (06/08)
Iowa board approves energy pipeline work amid tribal objections (06/07)
Native Sun News: Tribes score big in fights against energy projects (05/26)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe seeks halt to construction of pipeline (05/12)
Native Sun News: Youth run 500 miles to protest new oil pipeline (05/11)
Native Sun News: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe aims to stop pipeline (04/27)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Army Corps to discuss oil pipeline (04/26)
Native Sun News: Tribes gaining traction in war against pipelines (04/20)
Brandon Ecoffey: Tribes continue battle against energy pipelines (04/19)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe sets up sacred camp to oppose pipeline (04/15)
Native Sun News: Tribes organize against Dakota Access Pipeline (04/13)
Native Sun News: Tribes organize against Dakota Access Pipeline (4/13)
Iowa Tribe joins fight against oil pipeline on aboriginal territory (3/24)
Native Sun News: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe battles pipeline plan (3/14)
Native Sun News: Tribes fight another pipeline through Great Plains (07/07)
Meskwaki Tribe opposes oil pipeline through aboriginal territory (03/17)