17 southern Alberta country musicians provided a wonderful show of entertainment and comradery on Saturday, March 1st at the historic Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod. The concert, which sold out in about 18 hours, was nothing short of a huge success with everyone feeling the joy around the basic foundation of protecting our watershed, its inhabitants, and all who rely on it all the way to Hudson Bay.
From the aquatic ecosystem itself to everyone downstream who is drinking it, feeding livestock, growing crops for that livestock or for direct human consumption in domestic as well as export markets, that water is revered as precious. And so it should be because IT IS.
There was no question why we were all there, regardless of political stripes. We recognize that this is not about Right vs. Left. It’s completely about Right vs. Wrong and there was no mistaking that reality for everyone immersed in that sea of common ground.
For me it was one of the best experiences of my life and I would suggest that for most that were there, we left with a hell of a lot of new friends. It doesn’t get much better than that. A great time was had by all, musicians and audience alike.
I personally would like to thank everyone who played a part in the organizing and execution of the event and a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the musicians for making it what it was.
To sum it up in broader terms, the following is from one of our contributors, Blain Moen.
A Guiding Moon Over Change Theatre
by Blaine Moen
On March 1st, my wife and I went to the Western Sounds of the Eastern Slopes Benefit Concert. The Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod hosted over a dozen Alberta musicians donating their time and talent to support The Livingstone Landowners Group and the Pekisko Group, who are raising awareness and fighting government aided coal mines in Alberta watersheds.
It was a beautiful evening, inside and out of the “Empress”, a name which can signify change. As we stood outside, the moon was striking. A crescent moon signifies guidance in the Cree culture…….hmmm? Are these signs? If wishing only made it so. If anything is going to change relative to UCP coal mines in Alberta watersheds, you need to help make that happen.
Albertans got together to share our efforts with other Albertans with one simple goal, save our water. I'm certain that when this event was conceived, there was no talk of opening the night with the Canadian Anthem, but last night, we all proudly sang along with Morgan Klaiber.
With Agent Orange threatening everyone not named Putin, even bullying Canada and Zelenskyy, this was a great opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to Canada. Humble, proud Albertans, all singing our national anthem, suddenly injected with a jolt of thankfulness for being Canadian. Our closest neighbour, for the first time in modern history, has aimed their ignorant, oppressive side at us.
We were there to stop foreign coal companies from destroying our water, and, without discussing it, we all shared a moment of Canadian pride. I’d like to believe Danielle Smith might have felt the same way, but she has shown no sign of that.
After the anthem, a land acknowledgement, then the music, interspersed with informative speakers. It was uplifting and eye opening to be entertained by such outstanding local, Alberta talent. This was an evening to sit back, enjoy ourselves, take a breath and get recharged for the fight ahead.
There has been so much information compiled and written to stop the UCP government from progressing coal mines in the eastern slopes of Alberta, it’s impossible to list it all here. Ask around, talk to coworkers, friends and family about this. This subject should have been eradicated four years ago when Grassy Mountain was rejected and coal exploration was halted, but here we are again.
Are you sick of hearing about this? Consider how sick we are of fighting politicians and foreigners to save our water.....your water!
Andrew Nikiforuk wrote an all-encompassing article about this issue in the Tyee on Jan 9, 2025, called “The Billionaire Who Bored a Hole in Alberta’s Laws”. I encourage you to read it and support both the Tyee and the Calgary Herald as they represent a dying breed of journalism.
You must reconsider who you support. Do you want to keep the water we have? After last summer, Calgarians developed a new appreciation for water, a different cause, similar, but temporary results. If any one of these mines proceed, we will all face permanent water crises like the ones in Calgary last year, and selenium is uncorrectable.
Do you want Canada to stay a sovereign country? If so, you best get off your phone and start asking questions. That Oval Office tirade will be aimed at us one day soon, do you want Danielle Smith standing up for you? For the record, Smith is 0 and 1. She had an opportunity to stand up for and with Canada but was too busy bogarting the mic to stand with all the other Premiers.
Just over a year ago, Smith joined Tucker Carlson at a rally for the morally unaffiliated here in Alberta. Carlson then went on to promote Putin's Russia before rejoining the American campaign to rid the world of science and facts. Carlson, Trump, Smith and Poilievre are chaos creators. These people fan the flames of ignorance, hate and intolerance, their single goal, power. You can draw a direct line from our Premier, Danielle Smith to Carlson, to Trump, to Putin, and to the death of Alexei Navalny. At every turn Smith flirts with anyone she believes will provide her more power. I remind you about the AHS people Smith hired, then fired because they had the audacity to do their jobs.
Over a hundred Albertans got together last night to celebrate local talent, to share in our anger about the need to fight for our water, and to recommit to defeat UCP politicians and coal companies. It was awesome. Awe inspiring.
But, the fight isn't over, shit’s getting real now. There is time to act, but the clock is running. Write your MLA, the Premier, the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Environment in Alberta and demand they stop advancing coal interests and legislate permanent protection for the eastern slopes, Alberta’s watershed. Tell UCP politicians you plan to support the NDP, unless the UCP act now to stop foreign coal interests and to legislate protection for Alberta’s watershed.
This is our watershed we are working to save, none of us own it, but we all, each and every one of us, has an obligation to act to save it.
Thanks to:
Event Organizer: Malcolm Maclean
Speakers: Allan Garbutt, Chris Spearman, Lorne Fitch, Laura Laing, Harley Bastien
Musicians: Corb Lund, John Wort Hannam, Boots Graham, Charlie Ewing, El Mule, Greg Herman, Lonni Robley, Malcolm Maclean, Morgan Klaiber, Reese Klaiber, Riley Miller, Ryan Fritz, Mark Parsons, Jim McLennan, and the amazing House Band.
Fantastic letter. Wish I could've been there. It sounds amazing. What a positive thing to read this afternoon. I was away so couldn't go, but I heard Corb and many others speak here in Nanton. Keep the pressure on. Keep writing and phoning.