BISMARK, N.D. - There has been a lot of attention on social media in recent days about a pipeline protest happening on an Indian reservation in North Dakota. However, its actually been going on for several months now.

Emily Olson is a graduate assistant at the American Indian Center at St. Cloud State University. She says finding a resolution is going to be difficult.

This pipeline was supposed to be near Bismark, and then when the people of Bismark said we don't want this around they said oh not a problem we'll just move it toward native land.  So I'm not sure a compromise can be reached. I can't see this ending anytime soon.

President Barack Obama says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is examining whether the Dakota Access oil pipeline can be rerouted to alleviate the concerns of American Indians.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe worries that the $3.8 billion pipeline from North Dakota to Illinois will threaten its drinking water and destroy sacred sites.

Olson brought supplies to the protesters from SCSU last month.

North Dakota has spent about $10 million so far policing the protest site.

The 1,200 mile pipeline from North Dakota to Illinois is largely complete outside of North Dakota.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

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