GROUNDSWELL: An Indigenous Mining Justice Summit
Chief Txa La Xaatk (Matthew Hill)
Hereditary Chief Matthew Hill has dedicated much of his life to working for the betterment of Gitxaała.
Naxginkw (Tara Marsden)
Tara is from the Lax Ganeda (Frog) Clan of Gitanyow Huwilp of the Gitksan peoples. Her primary focus for her 20-year career has been advancing sustainable development and operationalizing free, prior and informed consent for Indigenous peoples. Drawing on her Master’s degree in Political Science and her upbringing in Gitksan Ayookxw (laws), Tara has worked for a number of First Nations governments, academia, the provincial government, philanthropic organizations, and most recently for her own nation Gitanyow as Wilp Sustainability Director. In 2021, Tara established Hlimoo Sustainable Solutions to continue her life’s work as an independent consultant in her homelands of the Gitksan people.
Nikki Skuce
Nikki Skuce has worked in the non-profit sector for over 25 years on social justice and environmental issues from the local to the international level. She is currently the Director of the Northern Confluence Initiative, a project of MakeWay, based out of Smithers, B.C. on Wet’suwet’en territory. Northern Confluence is dedicated to conserving salmon watersheds and working to improve land use decisions that respect Indigenous laws and rights and are based on sustainability principles. This includes working on mining issues and Nikki is also co-chair of the BC Mining Law Reform Network.
You are invited...
About the Event
Gitxaala Nation has launched a groundbreaking legal challenge that takes aim at B.C.’s outdated Mineral Tenure Act. Currently, the province allows anyone with $25 and a laptop to stake a mining claim, without so much as having to notify the Nation whose territory they’re prospecting on.
Still recovering from the mess left behind by Yellow Giant on sacred Lax k’naga dzol (Banks Island), Gitxaala are being joined by other First Nations, advocacy groups and Indigenous organizations who see this case as a once-in-a-generation chance to strike down Gold-rush era laws that violate rights and desecrate Indigenous lands and waters.
Together with West Coast Environmental Law, BC Mining Law Reform and Gitxaala Nation, RAVEN is hosting “Groundswell: An Indigenous Mining Justice Summit” on Thursday, December 15. Hear from Gitxaala leadership, allied Nations and mining justice advocates and help raise $10k for this historic and game-changing legal challenge.
Attend in person: Thursday December 15, 7 pm 500 Granville Street
OR via Zoom: https://fundraise.raventrust.com/event/groundswell-a-mining-justice-summit/e449242
Still recovering from the mess left behind by Yellow Giant on sacred Lax k’naga dzol (Banks Island), Gitxaala are being joined by other First Nations, advocacy groups and Indigenous organizations who see this case as a once-in-a-generation chance to strike down Gold-rush era laws that violate rights and desecrate Indigenous lands and waters.
We call this event ‘Groundswell’ because so many key advocacy groups, First Nations, and allies are joining forces to get behind this case. We are thrilled to be able to introduce you to the people who are leading the way towards a more just and sustainable future.
This event includes a SILENT AUCTION! Auction will be open from Dec 9-Dec 15 at 9 pm and includes prints by renowned artist Roy Henry Vickers, along with “Barefoot Cruises” aboard the tall sailing ship Providence. Bid here: https://airauctioneer.com/raven-fundraising-auction
