Law enforcement officers arrested at least 10 people Wednesday (2/22) during a short confrontation with those left in the former Oceti Sakowin camp on federal land in North Dakota.

Most of the remaining protesters—about 150 people—marched out of the camp accompanied by singing, drumming and prayers before the 2 p.m. deadline. Among those leaving was Dan Nanamkin (Nez Perse Umatilla and Lakes Okanogan). He had been at the camp since September. He says leaving was a sad event.

“We decided among ourselves, if we were to be peacefully removed, we were going to do so with dignity, we are going to leave with dignity and in a respectful, prayerful way,” Nanamkin said. “So we could have our heads help up high in regards that we did the best that we could and there’s no shame in leaving. So we took care of ourselves in that way.” He said he has set up for now at the nearby Eagle Nest camp and is deciding whether to stay on.

Dozens of people participated in ceremonies and left on foot from the Oceti Sakowin camp under threat of deadlines by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of North Dakota. Others stayed to risk arrest by authorities clearing the land to continue construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline under Lake Oahe.

The state provided travel assistance and other services for those voluntarily leaving the main camp for people opposing the pipeline. Buses came to take people to an assistance center in Bismarck.