For more than seven years, the Unist’ot’en have maintained a camp about 60 kms south of Houston, where numerous fossil fuel pipelines seek to cross the Morice River and Gosnell Creek. Huson says the settlement is not a protest, but that they are living on the land as they have for centuries, asserting their authority to give and refuse consent to who can enter their territory.

While the governments of Canada and British Columbia continue to promote the expansion of fossil fuel industries, the Unist’ot’en Clan has taken a clear, principled and unequivocal stand: Only the Unist’ot’en Clan has the authority to decide what development will occur on its land and there will be no fossil fuel pipelines permitted there.

The benefit concert at the Imperial Theatre will also feature Jack Garton’s Demon Squadron and Ta’kaiya Blaney. All artists have offered their time and talents in support of this courageous stand against destructive pipeline development on Unist’ot’en territory. 100% of ticket sales will go towards building the Healing Lodge at the Unist’ot’en camp.

The Healing Lodge is to be a place of learning and healing. With a focus on Indigenous youth, it combines exposure to the natural environment and traditional skills, language and culture with personal counselling. Supporters will be able to stay at the Healing Lodge and participate in the maintenance of the territory and restoration of the forests. As the Unist'ot'en say, "Heal the land, heal the people".

The Unist’ot’en’s stand has been supported by hundreds of environmental and indigenous organizations around the world, including Forest Action Network, Greenpeace, Idle No More, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, BC Assembly of First Nations, and Anti-Chevron Committees in South America, the United States and Europe. Renowned activists such as David Suzuki and Naomi Klein have also hailed the group’s determination to protect their unceded territory in northern British Columbia.