BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The American Indian leader who spearheaded opposition to the four-state Dakota Access pipeline has been ousted as Standing Rock Sioux chairman.
The unofficial vote count in Wednesday’s tribal election shows that Dave Archambault got 37 percent of the vote and Mike Faith got 63 percent. Archambault conceded defeat in a statement Thursday, saying he’ll “continue to advocate for the issues facing our community.”
The tribe opposed the pipeline over fears it would harm cultural sites and the tribe’s Missouri River water supply. Protests failed to stop it, though the tribe is still fighting it in court.
Archambault’s call earlier this year for large-scale protest camps to disband upset some tribal members.
Faith says he’s not sure how big of an issue that was in the campaign. He says the reservation has numerous other problems.
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