Youth environmental leadership group raise over $3000 to stop Enbridge pipeline

Dancing, singing, painting, and eating delicious homemade baked goods – what better way to build community and stop Enbridge?

YELP will be seeking new members in September 2015, if you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a part of the team, please visit our page

Sierra Club BC’s Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) hosted a night of music, community building, and solidarity on Saturday, May 30 in Victoria. The event was a triumph, selling over 120 tickets and raising over $1500 for First Nations in court against Enbridge.

YELP described this as a great opportunity to build solidarity with First Nations communities on the front lines of the fight against pipelines in British Columbia.

“It’s really special and it’s important to get a chance to stand in solidarity with First Nations because it brings a whole other level to what’s going on. And it’s an opportunity that you might not get every day,” said YELP member Olivia Cavanagh. Songhees Elder Butch Dick praised the work done by YELP and hoped for more youth involvement in local environmental issues.

YELP draw raffle prizes at Studio Robazzo, Photo credit: Dustin Trudeau

Local bands West My Friend and The Sweet Lowdown , who donated their time and a portion of their album sales, played to a lively crowd at Victoria’s Studio Robazzo. When people weren’t dancing and singing along, they could watch an artist live-painting, or snack on homemade baked goods. One generous audience member came forward to match donations raised by album sales.

“This was a huge undertaking for the team. They learned how to organize an event from start to finish, acquire donations from a number of local business, build and track budgets, and importantly, speak to a huge crowd!” said Sierra Club BC’s YELP coordinator, Elodie Button.

West My Friend play at YELP Pull Together event, Photo Credit: Dustin Trudeau

On Friday night YELP was recognized for their incredible community efforts at the United Way of Greater Victoria Youth Now Awards. Recognized by a council of their peers, YELP was awarded the Group Volunteer Award celebrating their passion for connecting social issues to environmental issues.

YELP receive United Way of Greater Victoria Youth Now Award

The Youth Environmental Leadership Program is a team of young leaders in the CRD. Through environmental action, restoration, hiking and camping, the youth develop leadership skills, build relationships with youth from across the region, explore partnerships with numerous local organizations and have lots of fun!

Each year, YELP commits to organizing a community action project to support, educate and engage their community in environmental issues. This year, passionate about learning more about solidarity and deeply concerned about the effects of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, YELP chose to organize a community event in support of the Pull Together campaign.

The Pull Together campaign aims to raise funds to support First Nations’ legal challenges of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. To find out more visit pull-together.ca

Sierra Club BC and YELP would like to send a huge thank you to The Sweet Lowdown, West My Friend, Studio Robazzo, Dustin Trudeau and Melissa Steginus, Kimberly Dean, Tonic Jewelry, Hemp & Company, Nourish, Ocean River Sports, Victory Barber & Brand, Be Love, Green Cuisine, Drifted

Members of YELP: Olivia Cavanagh, Rebecca Hansen, Anna Campbell, Marlon Couture, Nicola McDonnell, Kyla McDonnell, Tessa Frame, Michael Beaudoin

If you are interested in becoming a supporter of YELP, please contact Elodie Button at elodie@sierraclub.bc.ca