WHY DO WE NEED YOU
THE $25,000 RAISED THROUGH THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE USED TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE KLABONA KEEPERS IN THEIR GRASSROOTS RESISTANCE. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING HERE TO THEIR VAILANT EFFORTS TO STOP INDUSTRIAL DESTRUCTION OF THEIR LANDS.
The Klabona
Keepers is an organization of Tahltan elders and families who occupy and
use traditional lands near Iskut, British Columbia known as Tl’abāne,
the Sacred Headwaters of the Stikine, Nass and Skeena Rivers. They have been working tirelessly for over a decade to
protect one of the world's most vital ecosystems. They have continued their ancestors
responsibility in protecting the Sacred Headwaters, a place that we all
benefit from. In
order to continue this resistance, donations are being accepted and
this fundraising campaign is being launched to support those standing on
the front lines.
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Whether it is Imperial Metals, Firesteel and Oz Minerals,
Colorado, or Fortune Minerals - companies continue to compromise and disrespect
the Klabona Keeper’s elders and sacred land. They have no right to jeopardize
the cultural history and assume authority over this sovereign and unceded
territory. This financial support will ensure the future of this place is in the hands
of the people who are most deeply devoted to protecting it and not in the hands
of a CEO whose connection to the land is purely based on the exploitation of it
for their own self interests.
Additionally, the Klabona Keepers and community members are building a cabin on their traditional territory in the location
where previous resistance has taken place. The cabin is a symbol of
unity and strength, and it's history includes the location where elders
were arrested as they stood up to fortune minerals in 2005. The
cabin will provide a cultural learning base for youth and other
community members and will be an integral factor in the current and
future fight to protect their territory. Any remaining funds will be utilized to re-occupy their territory serving as a constant protection of the Sacred Headwaters.
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For those of you who have seen Beyond Boarding's documentary, Northern Grease,
you will have witnessed this land, these incredible people and their
continued fight to protect and assert their sovereignty over their
sacred territory. Please be a part of this journey and contribute to
those sacrificing the most, those on the front lines.
BEYOND BOARDING HAS SET OFF ON ANOTHER ADVENTURE...
CYCLE TO THE SACRED
A 2,000 km bike marathon from Fort Langley to the Sacred Headwaters of BC, of which you can pledge to to generate financial and social support and awareness for The
Klabona Keepers, who are protecting the Sacred Headwaters of British
Columbia from harmful mining development. The tour is taking place over
the course of one and a half months, between July and August. Our goal with this tour is to raise $25,000.
Beyond
Boarding co-founder, Desiree Wallace, and member, Landon Yerex, will be
biking the entirety of the route whilst co-founder, Nicole Kilistoff,
follows in a support vehicle converted to run on waste cooking oil. We
will be raising funds through this Indiegogo campaign and hosting film
screenings of Beyond Boarding’s independent documentary, Northern Grease, which
features the Klabona Keepers to raise awareness and money along the
route. The film features professional level snowboarding,
cinematography, and storytelling, and promises to hold audience attention throughout each evening of the tour. Alongside
the fundraising, the team will be documenting stories of indigenous
land defenders across the province as well as the territories they are protecting through photojournalism and videography.
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MORE ABOUT THE SACRED HEADWATERS
Cited as the single, greatest candidate for a climate change sanctuary on the planet, the Sacred Headwaters ecosystem encompasses
the pristine and un-roaded headwater ecosystems of the Skeena, Nass and
Stikine rivers; three of Canada's most valuable wild salmon watersheds.
The integrity of the Sacred Headwaters is essential to the long-term
health of Northwest BC's entire wild salmon ecology and deeply
influences the scope of climate change resiliency and adaptation for the
region into the future. The Sacred Headwaters is rich with cultural heritage.
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Every
year, the Tahltan return to Beauty Camp to practice their culture and
to pass on knowledge to children and grandchildren. They come together
to pick berries and to hunt caribou, moose, and other wild game. They
have a deep sense of responsibility to create enduring solutions that
leverage regional ecosystem values, traditional knowledge and resilient
communities to contribute to the global effort to adapt to a changing
climate.
For
11 years the Klabona Keepers have been fighting to protect the Sacred
Headwaters against harmful mining development and once more.
BEYOND BOARDING
Beyond
Boarding is a collective dedicated to spreading interest and passion
for humanitarian and environmental activism within the outdoor
community. Our goal is to encourage snowboarders, surfers and other
self-propelled athletes to channel the positive energy inherent to our
sports in ways that genuinely help the people and environment in our
world.
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Please join us to stand in solidarity with the Tahltan Klabona Keepers, to protect the Sacred Headwaters foreve