http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2012/...man-river-dam/
photo @ link.
The Oldman dam was constructed in 1992 in response to the many droughts experienced by Southern Alberta farmers. The Blackfoot/Peigan natives protested the dam’s construction and in 1989 they were joined by a group of environmentalists and entertainers for a free concert. Here is a story from the Herald on the event.
8,000 sing out for Oldman
The Calgary Herald
Mon Jun 12 1989
Page: A1/ FRONT
Section: News
Byline: Wendy Dudley
MAYCROFT CROSSING – They came about 8,000 strong to save a river, some too young to gurgle the words “old man” and others too old to remember when they last saw such a sight.
“I never dreamt at any time that I’d see a crowd like this on the banks of the Oldman River – this is historic,” said author Andy Russell who grew up in southern Alberta.
For three hours, Russell, along with biologist David Suzuki and singers Ian and Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot and Murray McLauchlan entertained and preached conservation at the sun-blessed Oldman River concert, held 87 kilometres south of Longview.
The peaceful event was held in protest of the $350-million Oldman Dam being built near Pincher Creek. The provincial government says the dam is needed for irrigation, but environmentalists contend it will destroy wildlife habitat when its reservoir floods 24 kilometres of valley along the Oldman, Crowsnest and Castle rivers.
Peigan elder Joe Crowshoe blessed the event honoring the Blackfoot’s sacred river. “Politicians have already taken away our land, now they want to take our holy river,” he said.
While some fans said they felt like they’d headed to Woodstock II and then taken a wrong turn, most were pleased with the event’s serious tone.
“This is a very serious issue and so it’s a pretty serious crowd – it shouldn’t be another Woodstock,” said Joyce Washburn.
While fans clapped enthusiastically for Lightfoot and Ian and Sylvia’s singing reunion, it was Suzuki’s emotion-packed speech that brought them to their feet.
“This planet is in trouble, this planet is sick, this planet is dying,” he told the crowd. Responding to a standing ovation, he said: “It’s good to know I have friends in Alberta – I have just been fired by the Globe and Mail for being too environmental.”
While Suzuki’s plea to save the river was met with cheers, a letter read by Ian Tyson containing an apology from Environment Minister Ralph Klein for his absence was booed. Klein was unable to attend the concert because of an Ottawa meeting.
Offstage, other peformers expressed their environmental concerns.
“My conscience tells me I should be involved in this,” said Lightfoot. “We have to keep plugging away and hope there’s a happy ending.”
Sylvia Tyson said: “I’m not here just to have a good time – this isn’t that kind of event. That river should be left to run the way it runs.”
Ian Tyson, also a Longview rancher and the event’s initiator, hopes letters to MLAs flow from Sunday’s crowd. “I’m thrilled with this turnout . . . and it ain’t over ’til it’s over. I hope everyone here writes a letter to Klein and Premier Don Getty.”
on this day - june 11,1989
