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Grades level iconsGrades 6–7
Genre information iconPersuasive, Poetry, STEM
Resource type iconWriting

We’ll Still Try: The Fight of the Standing Sioux Against the Dakota Access Pipeline

Destiny, 826NYC
In this poem, a student contrasts conflicting perspectives on the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Point of View of Oil
There are so many things I’m used for
But they want me to do much more
I’ve become an environmental issue
There are so many arguments against me
But why?
What am I doing wrong?
What did I do wrong?

Point of View of the Native Americans
Help us fight against this
You’re ruining our water
We’re worried about our environment
Because of your impact
We wonder, why do the people still want to build this?
Why does the government to hurt us?
What did we do?

Point of View of Oil
I’m sorry for what I’m doing
I’m trying my best to stop this
Whoa, I didn’t think I was doing this
Much damage
I have no choice, I’m sorry
People need oil
My question is, what happens
Next?

Point of View of the Native Americans
And our question is, how did the idea of building the pipelines
get there in the
First place?
Thousands of us gathered to stand against this
We’ve been stressing about this

Point of View of a Woman Named Daisy
Hello, my name is Daisy
And this has been driving me crazy
This has been stressing me and my family lately
We all deserve to have clean water
This is the people’s territory
You have no right to take this away

Point of View of the Government
We’ve won, there’s no point in fighting
Against us

Point of View of the Native Americans
We’ll still try

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From This Publication

This book is a collection of superhero stories written by 7th graders at PS/MS 7 Samuel Stern in East Harlem. Each story engages with different food justice issues, from the harmful conditions of factory farming to the contamination of our drinking water. For six weeks, these young authors worked with 826NYC volunteers to craft original stories about a superhero bringing salads and fresh vegetables to school cafeterias, a villain who is a slice of pizza, and a monkey who saves the day. So grab a refreshing apple and get ready to meet some of the greatest superheroes you will ever encounter.

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Untitled

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