Neil Young’s new song “Indian Givers” is a condemnation of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a major oil duct project under construction in Native American territory. Written in solidarity with the anti-pipeline Standing Rock Sioux Association, the song includes forcefully political lyrics like “Behind big money justice always fails” and “Our brothers and sisters have to take a stand,” even as its tune is breezy and folksy.
The music video for “Indian Givers” juxtaposes images of protests against the pipeline’s construction with Young driving around in his car, protesting through song. The sentiment, in other words, is made pretty clear—much as it was when Young released “Who’s Gonna Stand Up” in 2014, another anti-pipeline song focused on the pending decision on Keystone XL.
