FIGHTING THE NUCLEAR DUMP WITH MUSIC
It was a packed house at First United Church in Ottawa, November 22, for Riversong 2: A Concert for the Kichi Sibi, a fundraiser for Kebaowek First Nation’s continuing opposition to the Near Surface Nuclear Disposal Facility at Chalk River. The event raised over $14,000 through ticket sales and a silent auction.
Organizer Eva Schacherl explained how the concert came together: “We didn’t expect to sell out. People were very supportive and generous. Cheryl Gorman and I were volunteer co-organizers. My “hat” is the Council of Canadians’ Ottawa Chapter. Cheryl and I spoke at two rallies earlier this year organized by Kebaowek First Nation. We wanted to do something concrete to help. We reached out to musician friends and the First United Church’s WaterCare Allies committee, and the rest is history.”
“Many residents have been protesting the NSDF for years, and now that the fight has moved into the courts, we wanted to support those on the front lines,” added Gorman.
Kebaowek First Nation filed for a judicial review of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s January 2024 decision to approve the construction of the NSDF. The case was heard at the Supreme Court, July 10 and 11. A decision from Justice Julie Blackhawk is pending. – Deborah Powell
Photo – Kebaowek & Wolf Lake Hand Drum Singers (left to right) Lois Tepiscum, Verna Polson and Naomi Robinson were part of a line-up of performers that also included award-winning Canadian folksinger Ian Tamblyn. (Helen Mason)
