These are the Native leaders you should follow to learn about the Dakota Access Pipeline

Impact

The fight over the Dakota Access Pipeline is quickly escalating from a peaceful showdown over Native American sovereignty to a match between armed police and protesters

For weeks, Native American activists and their allies have been in Cannon Ball, North Dakota, protesting the construction of the $3.8 billion pipeline that would transport oil from North Dakota to Iowa and Illinois. The New York Times lamented that "Dakota is the New Keystone," the fossil fuel project that, after years of protests, was ultimately blocked by President Obama. #NoDAPL, as the fight has been dubbed on Twitter, is big news. But sorting out where to go to find that news can be tricky. 

Below is a list of activists and journalists who can offer perspective from the scene and context on the whole saga. EcoWatch published a list of 15 indigenous women to watch on the front lines of the resistance. Here are a few more.

Dallas Goldtooth already gained some prominence as a co-founder of the 1491s, a sketch comedy group based in Minnesota. But these days he's one of most reliable on-the-ground sources for the fight over the pipeline.

Ruth Hopkins is an award-winning writer for Indian Country Today and co-founder of Last Real Indians.

Jacqueline Keeler is a Diné/Ihanktonwan writer based in Portland, Oregon.

Kelly Hayes is a queer indigenous writer and community engagement associate for Truthout. Hayes is based in Chicago.

Tara Houska is an Ojibwe attorney based in Washington, D.C.