Yup. The specific stuff released here is LNAPL[1], which is basically the light liquid components like alkanes, benzene etc. which all flow right along at the highest point of groundwater. They've been going directly into the groundwater and probably drinking water for over a decade. These things are toxic and carcinogenic. If not for the fact that ongoing pollution and spills have rendered the gulf of Mexico a hypoxic dead zone, this would probably be the biggest direct loss of life expectancy from (direct) US pollution.

[1]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sci...

It’s on a native American reservation. Has there ever been a time in the history of North Dakota that the state has held any sort of priority for its natives? Even without the oil industry being involved?

The state of North Dakota has direct financial incentive from the oil industry. The profit margin is great enough that they can afford to lose millions of gallons of oil over a few year period and still have resources to cover it all up.

I don’t foresee the state changing its priorities anytime soon. I believe fixing this will take federal oversight or intervention of some kind.

Edit: This particular spill was not on a reservation, but the article talks to people on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation who have been affected by spills on many occasions. Many of my sentiments remain.