Anti-pipeline legal fund growing
Posted November 13, 2014 10:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HAIDA GWAII (NEWS1130) – A campaign to cover some of the legal costs that BC First Nations are incurring to fight the Northern Gateway pipeline in the courts has raised $200,000.
The campaign, called Pull Together, has exceeded fundraising expectations, and so it’s setting $300,000 as its new goal.
The Haida Nation is the latest to climb on board the effort, and its president Peter Lantin admits fighting Enbridge will be a costly endeavour.
“I know for certain that the money raised to date is not going to fund all of the litigation. It’s going to be a long battle. The realization here is that this is an excellent first step, and it shows the attention that people are giving to this fight.”
So far, volunteers from across BC have organized or planned more than 50 community events. For example, the Moksha yoga studio chain has launched a “Stretch across BC Challenge” and has raised $8,500.
The community of Pender Island on Sunday raised more than $4,000 with a concert featuring Mae Moore and Daniel Lapp.
Lantin says he’s been impressed by the way British Columbians are gathering money.
“Jess Housty, a Heiltsuk councillor, asked her wedding guests to contribute. And she raised $5,700. A lot of creativity is going in to raising money.”
Pull Together supports the Gitxaala, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli Nations and Haida Nations.
The campaign aims to reach the $300,000 target by the end of the year.
