We are blown away by the ingenuity, commitment and creativity of this community that never ceases to amaze, even with the challenges of a pandemic!

Marianne, an artist based in Victoria, BC has been known to trade her pottery wheel for a baking oven when solidarity calls. This May, Marianne whipped up her signature banana bread and delicious sourdough as a fundraiser for Beaver Lake Cree Nation. Knowing they faced steep costs to defend their awarded Advance Costs Order in court on June 4th, Marianne reached out to her friends and neighbours. Her fundraiser was sweet and simple: “Eat awesome bread to raise funds for the Beaver Lake Cree!” Who could resist? 

Marianne raised $1,025, with all donations matched by a generous anonymous, generous donor. With contactless delivery and orders placed through her fundraiser page, this delicious fundraiser was quarantine-proof and a beautiful way to show solidarity from home.

Let’s hear from Marianne! She shared:

“Why I am doing this?

Last October a judge ruled that Canada and Alberta provide $600k towards the cost of taking the Tar Sands case to trial. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, the government is appealing that decision. Beaver Lake Cree BLCN are now being forced to go to back court as soon as June 4 to argue that they are indeed entitled to receive Advance Costs.

The Tar Sand Trial is a big one, and potentially precedent-setting. A win would mean Indigenous Nations would be able to determine what development looks like in their traditional territories: in Beaver Lake Cree territory, it would limit tar sands expansion, and protect one of the world’s most important carbon sinks, guaranteeing a more sustainable future for everyone.”

Are you inspired by Marianne’s creative, delicious fundraiser? You can set up a crowdfunding campaign to support RAVEN here: send us a message if you need any support!