Photo by Vince Fedoroff
MAJOR EVENT PLANNED – Musician Dennis Allen, seen this morning, has recruited musicians from across the North to play fiddle music at Saturday eveningsʼ fund-raiser. Itsʼ being planned to help defray the legal costs of challenging the Yukon governmentsʼ plan for the Peel watershed.
First Nations and Yukoners at large will feast and dance Saturday evening at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre
First Nations and Yukoners at large will feast and dance Saturday evening at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre to raise money to help the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) launch a lawsuit against the Yukon government over the Peel watershed land use plan.
Local musician and filmmaker Dennis Allen was born in the Delta area and of both Inuvialuit and Gwich'in descent.
He said today he is deeply aware of the watershed's critical importance to the people in Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Aklavik and Inuvik.
"Many people from those communities now live in the Whitehorse area, and want to do something to help the GTC as it fights for the future and the health of its people who depend on the Peel River,” Allen said.
"Putting this event on is our contribution to help the N.W.T. First Nation's lawsuit against the Yukon government's illegal and controversial Peel River Watershed Land Use Plan,”added Allen.
"The Yukon government is using public money to defend such irresponsible and careless handling of important First Nation issues – while both Yukon and N.W.T. First Nations are continually forced to dip into their operating funds which would otherwise be invested into the health and well-being of the community.”
Allen has recruited musicians from across the North to play fiddle music. They include Ben Chuck, Boyd Benjamin, Brennan Firth, and Kevin Barr, who is also an NDP MLA who opposes the government's plan.
"This is what we do in the communities when someone needs help,” said Allen.
"We come together and feast and dance, do loonie auctions, Indian bingo, and raise money to help whoever is in need.
"Right now, the people who care about the future of the Peel River are in need.”
The First Nations for the Peel event will start at 6 p.m. Saturday at the centre, and will be a family-friendly event. Admission is by donation.
"Bring some food and some friends,” Allen urged.
Meanwhile, other watershed defenders are planning to protest the government's plan early on the afternoon of March 25 outside the Yukon legislature, when MLAs begin their spring session.
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Be the first to comment