Nelson youth concerned about the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort put aside Sunday as a day of art and activism.
The Youth for Seven Generations group invited the community to come to the Legion building on Victoria Street for a day of art to celebrate Jumbo Glacier. Featuring local artists in a youth focused art show and contest, the event was aimed at bringing a new face to the long standing controversy of the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort.
Fusing spoken word and music with visual art, the purpose of the all ages event was to turn protest into a party, bringing awareness of this environmental issue back to the community’s attention, while celebrating what those involved love about Jumbo.
Over the past 20 years the fight for Jumbo Glacier has been organized by a community of activists, but a group of young people have taken on some of the responsibility to keep Jumbo wild. For the first time, youth are speaking up about this proposal through a youth-driven day of art.
The Youth for Seven Generations is a group formed out of the Youth Lead the World Congress, a three-day event that took place in November, 2012. The group identified concerns they saw in the world and then self organized into action groups. Inspired by the First Nations’ philosophy of making decisions with consideration of the consequences up to seven generations into the future.
Youth for Seven Generations decided to rally around this issue in a different way than protesting — they wanted to celebrate, dance, create art and enjoy music.
From an 0pen mic to an array of musical performances including Brynn Forsey, Soapbox Radio, Sean and Fuss, Allie Kane and Friends, and Dj Mishmash, the event featured a wide array of local talent.
The event is going until 10 p.m. Sunday. There will be lantern making later this afternoon, followed by a lantern walk to City Hall at 4:15 p.m. The group will then return to the Legion building for more music and art.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/213154725486440/.