A Different American Dream

The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation was established as the home for the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) tribes. This area was chosen to provide a space for the tribes to preserve their culture and heritage.

The Bakken Formation was discovered to be the largest shale oil field in North America, located beneath the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. This discovery sparked a rush of interest from oil companies and changed the landscape of the reservation forever.

Oil exploration and fracking operations began rapidly encroaching on the reservation. The area transformed dramatically, filled with oil wells, fracking towers, and infrastructure to support the booming industry.

The oil industry brought substantial economic opportunity but at the cost of severe environmental degradation. The land became littered with toxic waste dumps and the threat of contamination loomed over the community.

Despite the economic boom from oil, the majority of the tribal members experienced widespread poverty. Less than 15% of the tribal population benefitted from the oil wealth, leading to a stark contrast between a sudden influx of money and ongoing economic struggles.

The average life expectancy on the reservation plummeted to 57 years, significantly lower than the state average of 79. This decline signifies the deteriorating health conditions fostered by the environmental and social challenges faced by the community.

The sudden arrival of outside money and the chaotic changes in the community led to increased social issues. Rates of suicide, drug abuse, and violent crime rose alarmingly, fracturing the once tight-knit community.

Amidst the turmoil, tribal leaders like Chairman Mark Fox began efforts to protect their land and the future of their people. Their focus was on balancing economic opportunities with the preservation of their cultural and ecological heritage.

Many tribal members reflected on the historical exploitation of their land by Euro-Americans, seeing the oil boom as a continuation of this disturbing legacy. This perspective highlighted a long-lasting struggle for sovereignty and respect.

In the late 1940s, the construction of the Garrison Dam flooded substantial tribal lands, displacing many community members. This event compounded the existing issues of poverty and land loss for the MHA Nation.

As the oil boom surged, North Dakota emerged as the second-largest oil-producing state in the U.S. This unprecedented growth resulted in peak production levels of approximately 1.3 million barrels per day from nearly 9,000 wells.

Many tribal members began selling off mineral rights, leading to further development of sovereign land. This shift in land use worried many about the long-term ecological and cultural ramifications for the MHA tribes.

Tribal leaders continue to navigate the complex challenges posed by the oil industry while striving to secure a sustainable future for their people. Their efforts spotlight the broader conflict between economic gain and cultural preservation.