Young Agrarians and Fresh Roots are organizing a Farmers For Pull Together potluck and social! Join us to to support BC First Nations in their legal battles against the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project. Bring something delicious to share, tools to eat with, and a $ donation of any size to contribute. Join the event on Facebook and invite your friends! All are welcome:)
WHERE: Fresh Roots Schoolyard Farm @ VanTech Secoundary School, 2600 East Broadway, east side of school beside tennis court
WHEN: Thursday, June 18th, 2015, 5-8pm
We are farmers calling on fellow farmers to support BC First Nations in their legal battles against the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project.
WHY? On June 17, 2014, despite 98% of all public testimony to the National Energy Board hearings, opinion polls showing a consistent 2/3 majority opposed, and the threat of multiple lawsuits, the federal government went ahead and approved the Northern Gateway pipeline and tankers project, pushing an unwanted project on an unwilling province. A year later, we are pulling together grassroots support to help #stopendbridge.
Over 100 First Nations have declared a ban on tar sands pipelines & tankers in their territories. Seven First Nations have launched expensive court cases to protect their lands and waters. As farmers, we share a love of the earth, a dependence on land and water, and a concern for how pipelines and oil tankers will affect indigenous lands. Together we can show solidarity and offer financial support.
So what if we helped celebrate that terrible day with a groundswell of grassroots fundraising events that together raised big money for First Nations to stop it in the courts?Join Pull Together for the “Week to End Enbridge” this June 13-21 as we raise another $250,000 for First Nations legal defence funds to stop it. Eat! Paddle! Dance!
HOW? Choose a way your farm can donate and raise awareness. Send your donations to the Pull Together campaign by August 31st, 2015. Join the roster of farmers on the Pull Together Farmer Profile page.
Communities have organized events ranging from music shows, film screenings and dinners, to pancake breakfasts, bake sales, and paddles. Over 60 buisnesses have signed on to donate a portion of their proceeds to the legal challenges – from bakeries and coffee shops to yoga studios and tourism outfitters. Hard working farmers, like Saanich Organics, Duck Creek Farms, Mother Felker Farms, and Metchosin Sea Bluff Farms have also stepped up to generously offer a portion of proceeds from the season and stand in solidarity with the First Nations to protect the lands and waters that nourish and sustain all of us.
In the words of Marilyn Slett, elected chief of the Heiltsuk Nation: “We’re a small community, we’re doing what we can to stop this project. We don’t have the resources that big corporations do, or the government has, so every little bit helps. We’re just so grateful for people helping. Every dollar that’s raised will help our communities and help our people take this stand.”
This June 13-21 we hope you’ll join us for the first (and hopefully last) Week to End Enbridge. Together we can stop this pipeline and tankers, and build a future we can all be proud of. Who knew stopping a pipeline could be so delicious?!
For more information or to get involved: www.pull-together.ca. If you’d like to organize a community event or know of a donate a portion of proceeds for a day, weekend or week to the campaign, please contact leila@sierraclub.bc.ca.
This post was written by the Young Agrarian Society and originally posted on May 22nd, 2015:
Farmers Pull Together! Vancouver, BC June 18 Potluck & Social