Neil Young raises $500k for anti-oil sands fight

Despite facing a barrage of criticism from Prime Minister Stephen Harper government, Sun News Network and energy companies operating in the oil sands, Neil Young’s week-long cross-country tour raised more than $500,000 for a First Nation’s fight against the industrial development.

Dubbed “Honour the Treaties,” the 68-year-old Canadian rocker’s tour saw him play to packed audiences in Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary as a fundraiser for Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s legal battle to stop the expansion of the oil sands on their traditional territories.

The community has experienced a dramatic spike in rare cancers, which doctors have linked to petrochemical pollution, but the Alberta government has denied the cancer claims.

At a press conference to kick off his tour, Young described the oil sands as the “greediest, most destructive and most disrespectful demonstration of something that has run amok,” and even compared the appearance to post-nuclear bomb Hiroshima.
“People are dying of cancer because of this,” he said. “We are killing these people.

“The blood of these people will be on modern Canada’s hands, and it will be the result of not just a slow thing, but of a fast and horrific thing if this continues. Believe me, these people are not going to sit back and let modern Canada roll over them.”

The After the Gold Rush singer’s Hiroshima claim, and description of the project’s impacts as “atrocities,” garnered a fierce reaction from conservatives across the country, with broadcaster Ezra Levant’s industry lobby group EthicalOil.org launching a website and Twitter campaign “Neil Young Lies” to debunk his allegations.
Even the Prime Minister’s Office reacted bluntly, arguing that oil sands revenues are “fundamental” to Canada’s economy and are environmentally friendly.

“Even the lifestyle of a rock star relies, to some degree, on the resources developed by thousands of hard working Canadians every day,” said Harper spokesman Jason MacDonald in an email. “Our Government recognizes the importance of developing resources responsibly and sustainably and we will continue to ensure that Canada’s environmental laws and regulations are rigorous.”

Seated beside the acclaimed singer – who shortly after his tour won an award from the U.S. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for his philanthropy, creativity and integrity – was Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam.

“Right now our legal system continues to fail us,” Adam said. “When all legal avenues are exhausted in more ways than one, who could hold our nation accountable if we say, ‘Enough is enough,’ and shut down the highway?

“The regulatory system has to change, because we cannot continue to rubber stamp major components that are going to play detrimental effects on our environment.”

He pointed to numerous Aboriginal oil sands workers as evidence of “how critical” the megaproject is for his First Nation’s economy, but that the costs were simply too high.

“Look at the fact that numerous rates of rare cancers are popping up,” he said, citing evidence that Aboriginal people surrounding the tar sands face up to 30 per cent higher rates of the disease than the Canadian population. “When does it stop? It’s to a point where we’re saying, ‘Let’s get a grip on this.’

“Why can’t they live up to the laws they made, and quit breaking them and changing the policies?”

After Levant alleged that Adam had received “secret” funding from the controversial Tides Foundation – a flashpoint organization in the anti-oil sands battle – to support Young’s tour, more than 20 other Canadian celebrities sprung to Young’s defence.

The Jan. 20 support letter was signed by such arts and cultural luminaries as The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie, Booker-prize-winning novelist Michael Ondaatje, Through Black Spruce author Joseph Boyden, Scream film series star Neve Campbell, singer Sarah Harmer, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Wade Davis, and others.

“Neil Young is doing what poets do – forcing us to examine ourselves,” they wrote. “The time has come for Canada to decide if we want a future where First Nations rights and title are honoured, agreements with other countries to protect the climate are honoured, and our laws are not written by powerful oil companies.

“Neil’s tour has triggered the Prime Minister’s Office and oil company executives. They have come out swinging because they know that this is a hard conversation and they might lose. But that should not stop the conversation from happening. Instead of focusing on Neil Young’s celebrity, Prime Minister Harper should inform Canadians how he plans to honour the treaties with First Nations. This means ensuring the water, land, air, and climate are protected so the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations and other First Nations communities be able to hunt, fish, gather plants and live off the land.”

The stars added they are “proud to stand with Neil Young” in his efforts to call for renewable energy investment, respect for Aboriginal rights, and a transition to sustainable jobs.

“Our issue is not whether the natural resource sector is a fundamental part of the country,” Young said in a reply issued to the Prime Minister Office’s criticism. “Our issue is with the government breaking treaties with the First Nation and plundering the natural resources the First Nation has rights to under the treaties.

“As to the thousands of hard working Canadians, we have respect for all working people. The quandary we face is the job they are working on. They are digging a hole that our grandchildren will have great trouble digging their way out of. There are better jobs to be developing.”

Photo caption: Idle No More Round Dance in front of Massey Hall in Toronto January 12 where Neil Young kicked off his Honour the Treaties concert tour. The ticket sales from four concerts in four cities will benefit the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation legal defense fund.