WwW people say one thing and do

another, it is hypocrisy. Our Canadian
environmental laws don’t matter if they
are broken." - Neil Young’s message to the
Prime Minister’s Office.

From 12 to 19 January, famed

Canadian musician Neil Young

played four shows in Toronto,
Regina, Winnipeg, and Calgary.

Joining Young on his tour

was jazz singer Diana Krall.
This tour is a big deal and

it is creating controversy,

because Young has dubbed
this short tour “Honour
The Treaties” and is

contributing 100% of the

WILL BREF

funds to the Athabasca
Chipewyan First
wv a | F rg q T Nation's (ACEN) legal
646s 8 SFU 2 battle against Shell
Oil’s proposed Jackpine

mine expansion.
Young, a long-time
environmentalist, has
spoken harshly of the Albertan
tar sands after visiting months

prior to this tour. Since the tour began, it
has ignited a feud between him and the
Canadian Prime Minister’s Office, of which
Young has been highly critical, telling
CBC’s Q that the Canadian government is
“trading integrity for money.” Prominent
Canadians, including Gordon Downie and
Jim Cuddy have also released statements of
support for Young’s cause.

The PMO came out swinging, stating that
Young relies on oil for his lifestyle, and
that natural resource development and
extraction is a fundamental part of Canada.
However, Young pointed out that he had
driven from California to the tar sands
without oil, which is an indication that

the PMO is ignoring the structural
issues that Young is attempting to
get at: there are treaties in place,
we should respect them and it is
time to start taking steps towards a
future without oil, not the opposite.

The ACFN's battle against Shell’s
proposed Jackpine mine expansion has
been ongoing. On 11 April 2013, the
Canadian Supreme court decided
not to hear ACFN’s appeal. ACFN
believes the proposal is infringing
on their treaty rights, under

Culture 7

treaty 8, and is thus unconstitutional.
Before filing with the Supreme Court in
January of 2013, the ACFN also tried to
present their case to the Joint Review
Panel, but the panel said they did not
have jurisdiction in this domain. Treaty 8
legally protects the ACFN’s rights to “hunt,
fish, trap and gather” on their land, and
they believe the mine will adversely affect
treaty land. ACFN have since appealed the
Supreme Court of Canada’s decision, but
the process is a long and expensive one.
There have been many donors, but Neil
Young’s tour will bring some
financial relief, as well

as promote the legal
battle and encourage
many people
to continue
donating
online.

Neil Young

Press Release

n Thursday, 30 January 2014 (6pm - 8
O pm) the Northern BC LGBT Alliance
will be hosting their first drop in for
people who want or need a place to get
information on gender and sexuality or
meet people. The drop in will be at 1177
3rd Ave on the main floor from 6-8 pm
every Thursday.

“Tt has been many years since a drop in that
is open to all ages has been operating in

PG for the LGBT community and I am glad
to be part of the re-opening of the drop

in.“ commented Shawn Peters, Chair of
Northern BC LGBT Alliance.

The first drop in will be an open house

theme with an open invitation for everyone
to attend. The alliance has worked with

LCBI Northen BC Alliance: Drop in

different business, societies and individuals
to get the drop ins open after many
community members have told us they
wanted and needed a place they could go be
safe and get information.

“LAMBDA PG has gracefully donated the
space to help start the drop ins in Prince
George. I believe that the community
needs a place free for all ages to go and get
information and meet people. I hear so
many stories about people needing a safe
space and now that I can help provide a safe
space for the LGBT Community to meet and
get information I am happy to do so.” said
Linda, Owner and Operator of LAMBDA PG.

The first drop is going to have free food
and door prizes. Everyone is invited to
come down see the drop in centre and meet
the people making changes in this city.

1)

At the open house the Northern BC LGBT
Alliance will also be unveiling the plans

for a Diversity Prom, where students who
don’t feel comfortable attending their own
prom can go. The open house will also be
featuring all the activities that the Alliance
would like to see happen during Pride 2014
events in Prince George. If your group or
business wants to get involved or provide
support through pamphlets or a donation
please come down and drop it off at the
open house. Societies will be allowed to
have pamphlets out for people to pick up at
the drop ins.

Drops ins will then be every Thursday from
6-8 pm

If you would like more information please

contact the Northern BC LGBT Alliance via
email at info@northernbclgbt.com