Nelson fundraising dinner and film to support Unist’ot’en camp blockade of pipelines
By Contributor
Local volunteers are putting on an event to show support and raise awareness for the Unist’ot’en pipeline blockade of the Enbridge bitumen and natural gas pipelines near Smithers, BC.
“Over several years, the Unist’ot’en camp has become a key point of resistance to pipelines crossing First Nations’ territory,” says Margaret-Anne Murphy, an event volunteer.
“We want to send Kootenay support to the camp and highlight its importance in stopping growing carbon emissions from our country. At the same time, the camp is a strong symbol of First Nations’ jurisdiction over their territory.”
The fundraising dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 6 at 6 p.m. in the Nelson United Church.
Along with a local, organic vegetarian dinner, the evening will feature Unist’ot’en camp speakers via SKYPE, songs of resistance from local singer Cam Penner and the 30-minute documentary film about the camp: “Resist”.
One of the film’s producers Hilary Somerville will be on hand to discuss the film and answer questions. There will also be a silent auction and bake sale to help contribute more to the camp.
“The film was made with the intention of providing another public space for the grassroots members of the Unist’ot’en to tell their stories straight from the Camp. They speak for themselves about what they are facing year-round on their traditional territories,” Hilary Somerville says about “Resist”. The documentary’s videographer David Goldberg and co-director Ed Hirtle will also be at the fundraising dinner.
“The Kootenays may be a long way from the route of the planned fossil fuel pipelines, but they affect us all, the whole planet in fact,” says Keith Wiley of Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free BC.
“It’s our environmental responsibility to reduce fossil fuel use, and bitumen and natural gas pipelines are what we have to deal with,” he says.
Nelson’s Bikes Not Pipes group and Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free BC are putting on the event.
The local Amnesty International chapter and Kootenay Coop Radio are also sponsors.
Tickets are $25 from BookSmyth on Baker St. or from one of the volunteers. For more info see Facebook: Kootenays Support the Unist’ot’en Pipeline Blockade. For more information contact Keith Wiley 250 777-2020.
