In 2025, RAVEN decided to try a new (to us) way of fundraising that made it even more rewarding to donate and support Indigenous-led litigation. Our completely online silent auction, Bid for Justice, was a smashing success, with $19,134 raised in its inaugural year. Each bid raised crucial funds for RAVEN’s programs, initiatives, and educational work that provides access to justice and promotes Indigenous rights and sovereignty. We are so grateful to all the incredible business donors who donated items to our silent auction so you can get a little something back. And we’re back for a second year! Before the launch of our 2026 silent auction, which goes live on June 29th, we want to share some of the incredible auction items from last year, why folks bid on certain items, and what bidders had to say about the items they won.
A Spicy Sampler
Sriracha Revolver Hot Sauce is an Indigenous-owned hot sauce brand. Founded in 2017 by Jordan Hocking, a member of Sweetgrass First Nation, the company donated a six-pack hot sauce sampler package and a t-shirt to RAVEN’s silent auction.
The winning bidder of this item, A.B., said they rely on RAVEN to keep them up to date on breaking legal news as well as safeguarding Indigenous sovereignty. On why they chose to bid on this item: “I don’t usually expect a gift when I donate, but I couldn’t pass up bidding on the Sriracha Revolver Hot Sauce sampler pack. It became the perfect tasty, values-infused holiday gift for my foodie nephew-in-law. Browsing, bidding, and shipping were smooth sailing, and now I read RAVEN knowing I’ve had a tiny hand in a world of good.”
The Gift of Good Books
Massy Books, a bookstore found in the Chinatown neighbourhood of Vancouver, donated a $250 gift card to the silent auction. Massy Books is founded and owned by Patricia Massy, a Nêhiyaw-Métis woman. Natalie, the lucky winner of this gift card, chose to purchase books written by Indigenous authors for themselves as well as for family and friends.
“With the $250 gift card, I was able to purchase nine amazing books by Indigenous authors. Massy Books‘ website was easy to use and had terrific recommendations. Some of my favourites have been Theory of Water (Leanne Betasamosake Simpson), Never Whistle at Night (compilation of Indigenous dark fiction), and On Wholeness: Anishinaabe Pathways to Embodiment and Collective Liberation (Quill Christie-Peters). I have given several books as gifts and asked friends and family to pass them around to spread the ideas and messages. Through this silent auction, I was able to support the awesome and necessary work of RAVEN, learn about a rad independent bookshop, get my gift shopping done, support Indigenous authors, and open the hearts and minds of my loved ones.“
An Experience of a Lifetime
Deep within the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, where the land meets the sea, lies Spirit Bear Lodge, an Indigenous-owned and led, conservation-based eco-tourism business on the traditional territory of Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation. They generously donated an All-Inclusive Four Night Package for two, which included departure and return airfare from Vancouver, B.C. Marietta and Peter had nothing but good things to say about the experience.
“My husband has been a monthly supporter of RAVEN for years, and I am an inveterate auction goer.” Both winners work in the nonprofit sector, so when they saw that RAVEN was fundraising through a silent auction, they had to check it out.
“Long story short, we ended up winning the Spirit Bear Tour package—and got to do something that is truly otherworldly (one afternoon, we were able to watch a group of 30-40 humpback whales!). We cannot overemphasize the Spirit Bear Lodge experience: from the excursions to the guiding to the staff to the cultural sharing to the lodge itself—we have nothing but awe and admiration for the generosity of the Kitasoo Xai’xais people who so graciously and warmly welcomed us and shared their territories.”
On why people should bid in RAVEN’s silent auction, Marietta and Peter say, “This auction is a great way of benefiting both RAVEN and you—bid high!”
The Dream Getaways
One of the auction items last year was a Tofino Getaway Package, which included Long Beach Lodge, Merge, Shelter, Surf Sister, Tofino Resort & Marina, and Tuff City Saunas. This offered an incredible opportunity to bid on a trip that might otherwise seem out of reach. Heather, the winning bidder, said bidding on this package, as well as Ahous Adventures Hot Springs Tour, an eco-cultural adventure tour company owned and operated by Ahousaht Nation, and the Prince of Whales Whale Watching Experience, “represented my dream getaways that I would have been unable to justify, let alone afford, pulling together for myself otherwise.”
Heather emphasized the wonderful opportunity to splurge a bit on herself while also getting to support RAVEN’s work.
“I am so grateful and wish to thank you for your invitation to participate in this fundraiser and for including these items in your fundraiser! And in doing so, providing this opportunity to both nurture and sustain myself in emerging from a tough couple of years, in combination with another passion, that of contributing and supporting an organization critical in its work for Indigenous and environmental justice!”
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Bid
If you’re feeling inspired by the incredible auction items from last year and the praises coming from the donors and winners, you’re in luck because Bid for Justice: A RAVEN Silent Auction is back for its second year in a row. From June 29th to July 31st, you’ll be able to bid on items from cafes, galleries, eco-tourism companies, restaurants, outdoor activities, book stores, hotels, Indigenous artists and companies, and so much more. We hope you’ll be able to find something you’re excited to bid on, while also knowing you’ll be supporting our work and the Indigenous-led litigation that is creating transformative change. For a sneak peak of what’s to come, check out raventrust.com/silent-auction/.
