In one week, Indigenous youth, land protectors, artists, and non-profit organizers will launch the Together for Nature Tour, a multi-city event across southern Ontario from September 15 to 18. The tour will bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples together to amplify voices for nature and those inspiring change.
Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence (LAND) and Ontario Nature invite you to hear from Okiniwak, Here We Stand and the Friends of the Attawapiskat River, who are travelling from northern Ontario to share their stories. Celebrated Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark will be headlining the tour.
“We ask you to join us, to celebrate our culture, to live in harmony with nature.”
Michel Koostachin
Friends of the Attawapiskat River
Friends of the Attawapiskat River
“During this tour, it’s my hope to share the message of protecting the land, water and our people. There is great risk in the name of fast-tracked development. What’s called the Ring of Fire – it’s our home, it’s also the lungs of Mother Earth. Everyone stands to be affected, and we ask you to join us in this conversation, and together, we’ll learn what it means to stand for the land.”
Ramon Kataquapit
Youth from Attawapiskat First Nation, Co-founder of Okiniwak
Youth from Attawapiskat First Nation, Co-founder of Okiniwak
The tour will debut in Ottawa on September 15, before travelling to Toronto, Kitchener and London. All are invited to join, with tickets available for $30. Full tour details are below:
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Tuesday, September 15 in Ottawa at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church – with special guest Terra Lightfoot
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Wednesday, September 16 in Toronto at the Knox Presbyterian Church
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Thursday, September 17 in Kitchener at the St. Matthews Centre
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Friday, September 18 in London at the Metropolitan United Church
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
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Kerrie Blaise, Founder and Legal Counsel, Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence, 705-978-4034, kerrie@naturesdefence.ca
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John Hassell, Communications and Engagement Director, Editor, Ontario Nature, 416-786-2171, johnh@ontarionature.org
Background
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Media Assets
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Video: promo reel and announcement by Susan Aglukark
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Photos: selects of guests, performers and the Attawapiskat River (credit to: Eleven North Visuals)
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Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence (LAND) is an environmental law non-profit based in Northern Ontario dedicated to advancing access to justice, to protect nature and Indigenous rights. Learn more at: naturesdefence.ca.
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Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. A charitable organization, Ontario Nature represents 9,500 members, 130,000 supporters and 158 member groups from across Ontario. Learn more at: ontarionature.org.
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Okiniwak is an Indigenous youth-led movement uniting First Nations youth across Canada to advocate for Indigenous equity and equality. Learn more at: instagram.com/okiniwak.
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Here We Stand is an Indigenous youth-led movement to protect our inherent and Treaty rights, our ways of life, the land, the water and animals for current and future generations. Learn more at: instagram.com/here_we_stand.
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The Friends of the Attawapiskat River is a Treaty 9 Indigenous grassroots advocacy group dedicated to protecting the health of the waters, people and communities living downstream of the proposed Ring of Fire. Learn more at: friendsoftheattawapiskatriver.ca
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Susan Aglukark is a JUNO award-winning Inuk singer-songwriter, an eloquent speaker and strong advocate who shares her experiences as an Inuk growing up in Nunavut, as well as the challenges faced by northern communities and Indigenous youth through her music. Learn more at: susanaglukark.com.
- Terra Lightfoot is a JUNO and Polaris Music Prize nominated roots-rock singer-songwriter originally from Hamilton who now lives in the Haliburton area where Terra “can’t help but be more connected to the natural world.” Terra also volunteers with Turtle Guardians in her area to safeguard our reptilian friends. Learn more at: terralightfoot.com.