The Tragically Hip, Waterkeepers team up for Canadian tour

Legendary Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip kicks off the In Between Evolution tour November 14 in Vancouver (GM Place). Waterkeeper Alliance, the fastest growing environmental group in the country, will be on hand to meet members of the public and generate awareness for water quality issues.

The Tragically Hip invited Waterkeeper Alliance on the In Between Evolution tour to introduce their aggressive, grassroots approach to environmental protection to fans across the country. Robert F. Kennedy Jr, president of Waterkeeper Alliance, is encouraged by the partnership: "This is an important time in the fight for clean water," says Kennedy. "It is thrilling to have The Tragically Hip in our corner."

From the Fraser River to the Bay of Fundy, local Waterkeepers are challenging polluters and winning back clean water for their communities. The In Between Evolution tour brings their message to cities and towns across Canada.

"It excites me to know that people will come to our show, talk to their local Waterkeeper, and walk out knowing that the pollution of our national treasures is not only unacceptable, it is reversible," said Gord Downie, The Tragically Hip's lead singer.

Every Waterkeeper advocates compliance with environmental laws, responds to citizen complaints, identifies problems and devises remedies to clean the water. Their dedication to water protection at the grassroots has won the support of Tragically Hip. Again, Lead Singer Gord Downie, "I can see communities a hundred years from now - our children's children's children - standing on the banks of their sparkling heritage, beholding the masterpieces Waterkeepers helped them win back."

"The Hip redefined rock and roll in this country. Now they are helping us do the same for environmentalism," says Mark Mattson. Mattson is the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and a Canadian spokesperson for Waterkeeper Alliance. Waterkeeper Alliance has more than 125 programs worldwide, including eight in Canada: Fraser Riverkeeper, Bow Riverkeeper, Canadian Detroit Riverkeeper, Georgian Baykeeper, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Fundy Baykeeper, and Petitcodiac Riverkeeper.

Waterkeeper Alliance promotes grassroots activism, linking democratic processes with water quality protection and Canadians' rights to swim, drink, and fish safely in every community.

The Tragically Hip is: Robbie Baker (guitar), Gordon Downie (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Johnny Fay (drums), Paul Langlois (guitar, vocals), and Gord Sinclair (bass, vocals). The group originates from Kingston, Ontario. Their studio is on the shores of Lake Ontario.