Neil Young’s New “Mother Earth” Video from Honor the Treaties Tour

Neil Young has been in the headlines a lot lately for more than just his musical pursuits. Earlier this month, the artist embarked on a brief “Honor the Treaties” tour, an endeavour designed to raise money and awareness for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Legal Defense Fund.

The fund was organized in order to aid the “ACFN’s legal challenges against oil companies and government that are obstructing their traditional lands and rights.”

“As people of the land the ACFN have used and occupied their traditional lands in the Athabasca region for thousands of years, hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering to sustain themselves and continue spiritual cultural rights passed down through generations,” reads a statement issued by Warner Music Canada, Young’s record label. “The ACFN’s legal challenges will ensure the protection of their traditional lands, eco-systems and unique rights guaranteed by Treaty 8, the last and largest of the nineteenth century land agreements made between First Nations and the Government of Canada, are upheld for the benefit of future generations.”

To help spread further awareness, Young’s released a new video for “Mother Earth,” a song initially released on his 1990 album, Ragged Glory. The video combines live shots from Young’s January 19 performance at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary with footage from the Peter Mettler documentary, Petropolis. New lyrics were also put forth during this rendition.

The video can be seen below:

-Adam Grant