As I reflect on what I am grateful for this Thanksgiving, access to clean drinking water is at the top of the list. Sure it's something so easy to take for granted, but without it, our world could very quickly devolve into chaos. Which is why I wanted to bring attention to the situation currently unfolding at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. For months, Native American tribes, environmentalists, and their allies have been protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline which would transfer oil from North Dakota to Illinois, crossing under the Missouri River along the way. Many Native Americans are opposed to the pipeline because it would cause destruction to their ancestral homeland, and a potential spill could have devastating consequences for the millions of people who depend on the Missouri River as their main water source. The situation has become increasingly tense in recent weeks as protestors have clashed with the oil company and law enforcement. Personally, I am opposed to the construction of the pipeline. I believe we need to divest from the oil industry in favor of clean and renewable energy, and the time to start is now. Our nation has a long and sordid history of manipulating and steamrolling the indigenous people who originally inhabited these lands. While we can't change the past, we can do better in the future. If you would like to support the Native Americans in their fight to protect our land and water, please consider donating here, here or here. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, you can also check out this blog post to learn more about where you can buy beautifully crafted items made by Native artists.