Life on the Keystone XL route: where opponents fear the ‘black snake’

Part one: In Montana, Native Americans fear a leak could destroy their way of life, but local politicians worry about the threat of protesters above all else

Words by Oliver Laughland, photos and video by Laurence Mathieu-Li(C)ger

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"Our people call it the black snake because it is evil," says Tressa Welch, as thunder clouds steamroll the blue sky over the plains of Wolf Point. "And like snakes they come out of nowhere, they slither and strike unknown."

Related: Nebraska to become battleground over fate of Keystone XL pipeline project