Neil Young will perform four “Honor The Treaties” benefit shows in his native Canada to raise money for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Legal Defense Fund, to aid them in their battle against oil companies and the government to preserve their land.
Young will be joined by jazz crooner Diana Krall for the concerts, which will raise awareness and funds in Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary next month.
Tickets for the "Honor The Treaties" shows go on sale Tuesday, December 10.
The ACFN refer to themselves as K'ai Taile Dene, meaning "people of the land of the willow."
A Legal Defense fund was set up to support the ACFN's legal challenges against oil companies and government that are obstructing their traditional lands and rights. As people of the land the ACFN have used and occupied their traditional lands in the Athabasca region for thousands of years, hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering to sustain themselves and continue spiritual cultural rights passed down through generations.
The ACFN's legal challenges will ensure the protection of their traditional lands, eco-systems and unique rights guaranteed by Treaty 8, the last and largest of the nineteenth century land agreements made between First Nations and the Government of Canada, are upheld for the benefit of future generations.
More information about the situation can be found at honorthetreaties.org
This week, Young is releasing “Live At The Cellar Door”, the latest in his Archives Performance Series.
The album collects recordings made during Young’s intimate six-show solo stand at The Cellar Door in Washington D.C. between November 30th and December 2nd, 1970, a few months after Reprise released his classic third solo album “After The Gold Rush”.
A full stream of the album can be heard here.
Neil Young / Diana Krall
“Honor The Treaties” benefit concerts
Jan 12 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
Jan 16 – Winnipeg, MB – Centennial Concert Hall
Jan 17 – Regina, SK – Conexus Arts Centre
Jan 19 – Calgary, AB – Jack Singer Concert Hall
See also:
AUDIO: Neil Young streams new Live At The Cellar Door album
VIDEO: Neil Young previews Live At The Cellar Door
Neil Young announces Carnegie Hall shows
Neil Young to be honored by The Recording Academy