Indigenous-led energy rally revs up in northern Alberta

A convoy of more than 100 trucks will assemble Sunday in northern Albertain what's being billed as the first Indigenous-led rally for energy resources.

The event,organized by the Region One Aboriginal Business Association,wants to highlight that Alberta's northern Indigenous communities supportpipelines and oppose Bill C-69 federal legislation that will overhaul the way energy projects are approved.

The rally starts at noon at the Bold Center in Lac LaBiche,Alta.

A number of rallies and truck convoys have been held across Albertain recent weeks inprotest of federal actions that critics say will make building pipelines more difficult.

ROABApromotes Indigenous-owned businesses in northern Alberta and facilitates networking opportunities between businesses and industry.

"We can't get anything to market. We are limited to one client, which is the Americans," ROABA president Shawn McDonald said. "We need more. We are gridlock."

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The rally willbeginwith an elder's prayer and blessing, as well asabannockand soup lunch, before the convoy travels 80 kilometres around Lac LaBiche'snamesake lake, passing through thecommunities ofOwl River andPlamondon.

The rally will also feature a range of speakers, including four First Nation andMtisleaders, the MP for the area, DavidYurdiga,andMLAsand municipal leaders.

Canada Action, a non-partisan, pro-oil and gas activist group, has partnered with ROABA to organize the rally.

"It is powerful. I think it is representative that most First Nations support the pipeline," said Cody Battershill, the founder and CEO of Canada Action. "This is an important conversation."

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Connect with David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInor email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca.