NORTHERN COMMUNITIES, SIERRA CLUB BC PULL TOGETHER TO SUPPORT FIRST NATIONS LEGAL CHALLENGES AGAINST
For immediate release
Terrace and Smithers challenge other communities to match fundraising efforts
VICTORIA, TERRACE, SMITHERS – As more and more legal challenges are filed against the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, a grassroots effort has begun to raise money to fund the court actions. B.C. residents from communities around the province are joining with non-governmental organizations to launch a fundraising initiative to help First Nations pay the legal bills.
Pull-Together.ca has been established by Sierra Club BC in partnership with Victoria-based legal defence fund RAVEN Trust to enable residents from across B.C. and Canada to make donations in support of several recently launched First Nation legal challenges.
The effort was initiated by northern communities along the proposed Enbridge pipeline route. These communities have stepped forward and are challenging other communities to do the same. North West Watch, a community group in Terrace, has already raised $2,000 through a community dinner and bottle drive. The Friends of Morice-Bulkley, a community group in Smithers, raised $985 at a fundraiser film night.
“People know what’s at stake and want to support First Nations’ legal challenges. We needed a central mechanism to allow British Columbians from the north and across the province to contribute easily,” said Lori Merrill from North West Watch. “Here in the north, we are already raising funds for First Nations’ legal challenges, and we challenge other communities to meet or beat our contributions.
“First Nations have been in the lead in opposing Enbridge Northern Gateway and standing up for Canada – now this is a way that communities can stand up for First Nations.”
The legal cases, filed in the Federal Court of Appeal earlier in July, challenge the federal Cabinet approval that would allow the Enbridge Northern Gateway tankers and pipelines proposal to proceed.
“These First Nations have inspired us by taking a stand for our common future—the rivers and oceans, forests and climate that we all depend on,” said Sierra Club BC Campaigns Director Caitlyn Vernon. “It’s clear that British Columbians want to support the First Nations who are going to court to stop Enbridge, and this is one way we can all pull together.”
The pull-together.ca website offers people the option to donate directly, fundraise online among their networks of friends and neighbours, or organize community fundraising events. Sierra Club BC will offer training and support to individuals and community groups interested in hosting fundraising events.
From Prince George to Haida Gwaii, community groups have committed to fundraising in support of First Nation legal challenges. Fundraising efforts will be undertaken in Prince George, Fort St. James, Burns Lake, Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat, Klemtu, Prince Rupert and on Haida Gwaii. Other communities throughout B.C. can find out how they can stand together with First Nations by visiting Pull-Together.ca.
“We very much appreciate the support being expressed by the people in British Columbia,” said Clarence Innis, Acting Chief of the Gitxaala First Nation. “We would rather not go to court, but despite the significant effort and resources we expended to participate in the Joint Review process, our concerns have been ignored. The federal government has failed in its obligations to the Gitxaala. The government has pushed this matter to the courts, so that is where it will be resolved.”
“The historic victory by the Tsilhqot’in Nation in the Supreme Court of Canada has reaffirmed and strengthened the legal cases being brought forward by First Nations,” said Susan Smitten, executive director of RAVEN Trust. “While First Nations legal rights are strong, going to court with the government is expensive and time consuming. That's why British Columbians are stepping forward to raise funds for the First Nations’ multiple legal challenges.”
The following First Nations will benefit from this fundraising project to support their legal challenges: Gitxaala, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xias, Nadleh Whut’en and Nak’azdli. First Nations have already invested heavily in legal efforts to stop Enbridge Northern Gateway and are actively finding ways to reduce costs, such as jointly filing legal challenges.
British Columbians can visit the website to donate or fundraise at www.pull-together.ca.
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