Ceci (n’)est (pas) une pipe - The framing and reframing of the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota

Abstract: With climate change as our current greatest threat, it is necessary to reduce carbon emissions by decreasing fossil fuels. Indigenous movements have played a crucial role in combating climate change, especially with their resistance to pipelines. Their movements have had both successes and failures, meaning that more research is needed to examine what strategies are effective. This thesis applies a realist theory of framing to analyse the competing framings of the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota. It will study the most common frames of both sides of the Line 3 debate, which are legal, environmental, economic, and security framings. The analysis shows that although both proponents and opponents use partly valid arguments, some blind spots and one-sided framings can be identified. From this, the thesis suggests how the indigenous movement can reframe the pipeline issue more truthfully and therefore potentially help them to be more effective in the future.