When we think about environmental communities, generally the focus is on low-income, African American or Hispanic populations. Similarly, often times when we think of international environmental justice issues, the focus is on indigenous populations. But, there are indigenous populations within the borders of the United States. Native Americans and their communities are significantly burdened with environmental injustices, and despite the proclamation "all men are created equal," Native American communities are marginalized and disproportionately burdened.

As a voice to be heard, Native American communities continue to fight against the Keystone XL pipeline project. In March, the Obama Administration came out with their draft supplemental environmental impact statement, stating within it that the pipeline project would have no substantial impact on the rate of development in the tar sands. The Native communities have spoken out, claiming that the pipeline project would indeed be detrimental to the ecosystem, as well as the communities living there. In the article "Environmental Justice and the Keystone Pipeline," one member even went so far as to call the tar sands a "national sacrifice zone" for indigenous people.

To read the article, see: http://ecowatch.com/2013/environmental-justice-keystone-xl/