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Thanks to the Co-operative for an amazing UK tour!

 
It started on London's South Bank in clear sight of the Tower Bridge.  But most eyes were turned to the ravishing photo display of tar sands images. So beautiful that at first people are drawn in to take a closer look at what initially seems to be abstract art.  But the descriptions beneath each image, and the powerful visage of Chief Al Lameman soon have people shaking their heads and heading for the innovative photo petition booth.  Sign up to stop the tar sands from entering the UK.  So we did. 


This is the Tarnished Earth exhibition - completed by Jiri Rezac and sponsored by the Co-operative along with Greenpeace UK and WWF-UK.   The issue gets more support and attention in the UK than in Canada.  Though the tar sands is now a top headline in most dailies, the Beaver Lake Cree's legal struggle - the one actual bit of work that could change the course of development - gets little play.   Maybe it's because it will take a little longer than our attention-deficit populations can handle.  Maybe it's because most foundations and funders want to see a quick result for their donated funds.  Fortunately the visionaries at the Co-operative get that this legal action is the best chance to get real change on the ground (and in the water), where it counts.

But we digress.  Chief Al Lameman and lawyer Jack Woodward get the endorsement of outdoor enthusiast Ray Mears.  And then we move on to Manchester, to participate in a premiere screening of the BBC's documentary Tar Wars before having a dinner with the Co-operative's completely wonderful Values and Principles Committee. At the screening, Chief Al spoke to a full audience, moving some to tears.  And with the help of some youthful campaigners and an exceedingly generous audience, more than £500 was raised through donations and the sale of t-shirts! 


Buoyed by this, we moved on to Edinburgh, for an evening reception at the stunning Dynamic Earth pavilion.  Hosted by the Co-ooperative, World Development Movement Scotland, Friends of the Earth Scotland and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, a few hundred people honoured us by giving up their Friday night to come and hear the Chief and Jack Woodward speak about the devastation wrought by tar sands industries and the desire to make it stop.  Everyone in our group was deeply touched by the support demonstrated.  And not to be outdone, the audience generously donated hundreds of pounds to help with the cost of the legal action.


So now, back in Canada, we pause to say thank you!  Thank you to Paul Monaghan and Colin Baines, who have led the Co-operative's charge for going on two years.  Thank you to the team that the organized the exhibit, the screening, the dinner and the myriad of details involved in a tour like this.  And thank you to the people who came out to hear what this is about, and who may now become active themselves in the fight to keep our planet healthy!



We are rejuvenated, and ready for the next big battle - taking on Canada and Alberta's motion to strike (i.e. kill) the case outright. 

As is said in the UK, cheers!

p.s. For those who could not be part of the tour, here is a video of Chief Al Lameman speaking in Edinburgh of the effect of the tar sands. 

Posted by Susan Smitten Wednesday Sep 22, 2010 14:41
Categories: Beaver Lake Cree, Climate Change, Environment | Tags: Aboriginal, Alberta, Beaver Lake Cree, caribou, climate, Cooperative Bank, environment, First Nations, indigenous, oil sands, tailings pond, tar sands

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