Neil Young has stepped up in support of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) and staged concerts to fund raise to cover legal costs to put a regulatory system in place to protect the planet from corporations and the Canadian government who unleashed a "runaway train with no conductor" that is spewing CO2 at a rate six times greater than any other development on the planet. Dirty Oil. Period.
Today (January 12, 2014) from Toronto, prior to the first concert in the series, a panel addressed the media. Four speakers presented concerns and afterward, media writers were invited to ask questions. The panel presentation was aired live on the CBC website.
Here are a few excerpts from the live event:
After Young admitted his mind was blown at the idea of asking Harper a question and Suzuki interjected that he had three times asked for an audience with the PM, Young smiled and replied to Suzuki, "Yeah, but you have a bad reputation," to loads of laughs. Young said he would welcome an audience with the PM.
Young said, "Science is the road map. That is why I'm here. Behind the words Canada Ottawa Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Quebec are first nations words. We are breaking our promise. The blood of these people will be on Modern Canada's hands."
Young described the political and corporate motive: "Money is #1. Integrity isn't even on the map. It is just marketing. It is not truth."
Chief Adam of ACFN concluded the session with levity. He reminded listeners and the audience that he represents his people and their position in the treaty. He said the Canadian Government's job is to represent Canadians in the treaty. "If," he said, "your government is not representing you, I will do my best to do so." And the session closed with a smile and good will.
Neil Young invited government officials who respectfully declined to attend and tell their story. Their chairs remained empty.
There is a 12 minute film that will be aired at the concerts in support of the legal challenge related to the Jackpine oilsands proposal.
There was consensus on the panel that the tar sands are backward thinking. They are the dark ages. There are many innovative ways to have energy on the planet that are clean.
I am attending the Honour the Treaties concert on Thursday in Winnipeg.
People wanting to take action can write to government officials. Speak to friends and neighbours about their concerns and visit http://www.drawtheline.ca/ to find other ways to help make change.
#inm #decolonize
