End of the Line

End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock is the incredible story of a small group of indigenous women who risk their lives to stop the $3.8 billion Dakota Access oil pipeline construction that desecrated their ancient burial and prayer sites, and threatens their land, water, and very existence. When the population of their peaceful protest camp exceeds 10,000, the women unwittingly find themselves the leaders of a global movement. In the process, they must face the personal costs of leadership, even as their own lives and identities are left transformed by one of the great political and cultural events of the early 21^st century.

Featuring exclusive footage including never-before-seen evidence of police brutality surrendered to the filmmakers by a disgraced law enforcement officer, End of the Line is both an exploration of the rise of indigenous and feminine power in the areas of social and environmental justice, and a searing and deeply personal story of four brave women: Sky Roosevelt-Morris, a human rights activist in her 20s torn between the call to action and her own need for healing; Wašté Win Young, a mother born into the American Indian Movement who, at first resisting her family heritage of activism, emerges from the trauma of Standing Rock both scarred and transformed; veteran indigenous rights activist Phyllis Young, whose example of unbowed courage and endurance serves to rally the movement to persevere in defense of Mother Earth; and LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, who emerges as an undaunted leader, despite seeing the bones of her ancestors unearthed in Dakota Access’ wanton act of destruction.

Rich commentary is provided throughout by author and activist Pearl Daniel-Means, widow of Lakota freedom fighter Russell Means, first National Director of the American Indian Movement. Expert testimony on the effects of colonization and the history of US violations of Indian treaties is provided by Madonna Thunder Hawk, co-founder of Women of All Red Nations. Vanessa “Sioux-Z” Dundon, the frontline water protector shot and blinded by Dakota Access security, provides additional analysis of the harrowing cultural and personal PTSD associated with colonization.

Placing the courage of the women of Standing Rock in its true historic perspective, End of the Line cuts to the essence of this astonishing event—“the hearts of the women.”