Neil Young to give benefit concert for Fort Chip First Nation

Rock star Neil Young is set to give a benefit concert at Edmonton's Rexall Place in July to support the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

The "Honour The Treaties" concert will raise money for the First Nation's legal defence fund.

Allan Adam, chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, said the money raised will help his people fight oilsands development they say destroys their traditional land and infringes on their legal rights.

"With the support of Neil Young and fans we are creating more accountability from our governments for the safeguarding of our lands, rights and future generations in Alberta, Canada and beyond," Adams said Monday in a statement.

"Our people, our climate and our planet can no longer afford to be economic hostages in the race to industrialize the earth. We must act now for the future generations."

Young has done this before. He held concerts last year to support the defence fund.

"My job is to bring light to the situation through my celebrity," he said in January 2014,at a news conference before a benefit concert in that city.

The ACFNrelies largely on economic development and owns and operates several businesses under an umbrella organization called ACDEN, made up of 17 businesses that largely provide services to the oil and gas industry.

In 2013, ACDEN generated between $200 million and $250 million in revenue.

Blue Rodeo will also perform at the concert, scheduled for July 3 at Rexall Place. Tickets will range from $45 to $175 and will be limited to four per person. Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m.