The Cumulative Impacts: Defend the Treaties with Beaver Lake Cree Nation

Join RAVEN for a webinar in support of Beaver Lake Cree Nation’s Defend the Treaties litigation on May 7th from 5:30-6:45pm (PT) / 6:30-7:45pm (MT), where we will hear from Crystal Lameman, Beaver Lake Cree Nation member and their Government Relations Advisor and Treaty Coordinator, Karey Brooks, lead counsel on the case, and Christine Hutchinson, Indigenous Cumulative Effects Advisor from the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects.

It has been 18 years since Beaver Lake Cree Nation filed their case against the governments of Alberta and Canada to defend their rights to hunt, fish, and practice their culture as guaranteed under Treaty 6. With this legal action, the First Nation is pushing back against one of the largest and most carbon-intensive energy developments on the planet, the oil sands. Beaver Lake Cree Nation is challenging the cumulative impacts of industrial development. Not one project, not one mine: all of them at once.

After hearing the Beaver Lake Cree Nation’s case, the court will have to consider whether Canada and Alberta have authorized too much industrial development without properly assessing the impacts of all those projects on Treaty 6 rights. A victory for Beaver Lake Cree Nation would become a strong precedent for other Treaty Nations to allow for the protection of land, air, and water for all Canadians and future generations.

One year from now, Beaver Lake Cree Nation will finally head to court. It’s estimated they will spend 150 days in court. Learn more about the impact of cumulative effects, how Beaver Lake Cree Nation’s case could change the game for Treaty rights, and how you can support them as they prepare for a trial nearly 20 years in the making.

Get your tickets here and make a donation to support their legal fees.