Local musicians Raghu Lokanathan and Erika Callaweart will headline a fundraiser next week to support B.C. First Nations' legal battles against the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.
The event, hosted by the Sea to Sands Conservation Alliance, will benefit the Pull Together fund and will feature music, First Nations music and dance, silent auction, appetizers and speaker presentations.
"The local [fundraising] goal is $1,500, but we'd be happy to do more," Sea to Sands spokesperson Mary Macdonald said. "We believe that the local First Nations, especially west of Prince George, are incredible allies and they are at the forefront of saying no to this project. [But] we're dealing with very small communities that don't have a lot of resources, and they are up against Enbridge... and the federal government."
Organizers have received "quite a lot of donations" for the silent auction, including gift baskets and gift cards from local businesses, antiques and jewellery, she said.
The Pull Together fund is a partnership of the Sierra Club of B.C. and the Victoria-based RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) defence fund. The groups hope to raise $300,000 by the end of the year to help cover the legal costs of six participating First Nations: Nadleh Whut'en, Nak'azdli, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Gitxaala and Heiltsuk.
As of earlier this week, the fund had raised $235,000, and a donor has come forward offering to match all funds raised by the organization
Macdonald said Sea to Sands supports the legal challenges launched by First Nations along the proposed pipeline route and "we believe they have a strong legal case."
"We believe their aboriginal rights have been contravened in this process," she said.
Macdonald said it's unfortunate that the federal government has left residents with concerns about the safety of the proposed dual oil/condensate pipeline, tanker traffic on the B.C. coast, aboriginal title and long-term climate impacts with no alternatives but to launch legal challenges and civil disobedience.
"We see all the civil unrest down south in the Kinder Morgan pipeline," she said.
Earlier this month, RCMP enforced a court injunction to remove and arrest protesters blocking Kinder Morgan survey crews from accessing a site on Burnaby Mountain.
In a written statement, Nak'azdl First Nation Chief Fred Sam thanked the organizers of the event and the Pull Together fund.
"The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project is risky and irresponsible, and will impact the lives of all British Columbians," Sam said. "The grassroots people of B.C. are united and standing together as one to see this decision overturned."
The fundraiser takes place Dec. 4 at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $12 (children under 12 get in free) and are available at Books and Company.
