It's been a long, ongoing fight for those against the Dakota Access Pipeline, with protestors saying the multi-state project will devastate their Native American culture.
A couple of Arizonans are heading to Standing Rock this Tuesday to join protestors
"Not only are they destroying sacred sites, but they're going to destroy that water," said Keytha Fixico of Mesa.
Fixico, an herbal healer, is going to bring donations to the protestors and help them with injuries suffered during clashes with law enforcement.
"With rubber bullets, concussion grenades, flash bang grenades, even on our elders," Fixico said.
His friend Danielle Esparza, who lives in Tucson, will also drive up with him to join him and offer her skills as a medic.
"Since so many people have come from all over the country, tribes have joined together, they still have regular illnesses that need to be treated," Esparza said.
Even though they are more than a thousand miles out geographically from the fight, in spirit, they're not far away.
"Indigenous people are everywhere," Esparza said. "Just look around and you'll find them."
Sunday afternoon, Fixico attended a prayer meeting at Tempe Beach Park where he said more than a hundred people gathered to pray to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
"Just heartbreaking — absolutely heartbreaking," Fixico said.
"We're not protestors, we are protectors, and we are praying hard for this change," Esparza said.
Fixico and Esparza said they plan to be in North Dakota with the protestors until Dec. 14.
