'Opportunity for healing': General Custer's relative visits Standing Rock

Descendant's visit served as painful reminder for some Native Americans that historical traumas are closely linked to present-day battles with US government

Floris White Bull couldn't believe what she was hearing. On the same day the US government granted permission for the Dakota Access pipeline to drill under the Missouri river, a descendant of General George Armstrong Custer had arrived at Standing Rock.

Alisha Custer - whose lineage traces back to the US army commander who led the 19th-century wars against Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors - had traveled from Wichita, Kansas, to Cannon Ball, North Dakota, and was ready to speak to Standing Rock members.