A proposed high risk mine threatened a pristine lake that sits in the heart of Lake Babine Nation’s territory at the headwaters of the Skeena River. The pit of the proposed Morrison Mine would sit less than 100 metres from the east shore of T’ak Tl’ah Bin (Morrison Lake), which offers spawning and rearing grounds for plentiful and genetically unique sockeye salmon. 

In 2012, a hydro-acoustic survey estimated the sockeye fry population in T’ak Tl’ah Bin to be approximately 1.4 million. As part of its normal operations, Morrison Mine would have discharged treated mine effluent into this Lake, in perpetuity. The impacts of a major accident or malfunction would have been catastrophic for the sockeye and other fish populations. As such, the Morrison Mine posed an unacceptable threat to the Nation’s primary resources, way of life, and identity.

Fortunately, on February 7, 2022, the BC government made a final decision not to issue an environmental certificate to the proposed Morrison Mine. According to the government’s press release, a key consideration was the potential to affect a unique wild sockeye salmon population that contributes to the Skeena River sockeye.

Lake Babine Nation has steadfastly opposed the proposed Morrison Mine because it would have been built on the Nation’s core Aboriginal title lands, right beside vital Skeena talok (sockeye salmon) spawning grounds. The Mine would have threatened Lake Babine’s yintah (territory and natural resources), food security, and cultural security, the Nation said in a press release.

The RAVEN community supported Lake Babine Nation since 2014.

Beaver Lake Cree Nation filed a constitutional challenge over the impacts of multiple tar sands mines and other industrial development in Beaver Lake Cree territory. They are the first community to ever challenge – and be granted a trial on – the cumulative environmental, social, and cultural impacts of industrial development. A win would force an ecosystems approach to environmental regulation in Canada's oil patch, slowing tar sands expansion and defending treaty rights for Indigenous Nations.

How the RAVEN Community supported this victory

 This is an ongoing case. However, substantial gains have been achieved in the pre-trial phase.

RAVEN proudly assisted Beaver Lake Cree Nation to apply for — and successfully secure — Advance Costs for a case they have shown to be of national importance. When Alberta appealed the Advance Cost ruling requiring Canada, Alberta, and BLCN to equally share the costs of litigation, the Nation fought the appeal all the way to the Supreme Court. With their 2022 Supreme Court victory, the Nation has helped enshrine the right to access to justice for all Nations who should never have to choose between going to court to protect their rights and providing clean water and basic necessities to their communities. For updates on the progress of the Defend the Treaties case - formerly the Tar Sands Trial - please check out the campaign page: https://raventrust.com/campaigns/.

Wild salmon are the backbone of British Columbia. Thanks to sustained efforts led by Indigenous Nations along the Skeena River, the proposed LNG facility on Lelu Island will not be built! After years of growing opposition and legal challenges, Malaysian fossil fuel giant Petronas cancelled its proposal. We congratulate the Gitxsan, Gitanyow and Gitwilgyoots on their leadership and hard work to protect their land and culture, the survival of the salmon, and the integrity of the Skeena watershed.

How the RAVEN Community supported this victory

In 2017 Four Indigenous groups along the Skeena and the Nass Rivers challenged the proposed Petronas LNG facility in court. Their case was strong — in part thanks to support from RAVEN donors that helped them mount the best possible legal defence as they take on giants of industry and government. RAVEN was proud to stand with the Tsimshian tribe of Gitwilgyoots, the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, the Gitxan House of Luutkudziiwus, and the Gitxan House of Gwininitxw to stop Petronas’ LNG pipeline and export terminal in the pristine salmon habitats that have sustained Indigenous families for millennia.

In a unanimous 2017 decision, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the plan to protect the majority of the Peel Watershed in northern Yukon. It is a massive victory for Nacho Nyak Dun, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and Vuntut Gwitchin First Nations and cause for environmental celebration on a global scale. Now, the pure rivers running through a land of rugged mountains, boreal forests and tundra — one of the largest unspoiled natural areas left in North America — will be preserved. This exquisite and pristine land will be stewarded by a coalition led by Indigenous Peoples.

How the RAVEN Community supported this victory

“In January 2017, RAVEN stepped in to support the last leg of a multi-year legal journey, which culminated with the Supreme Court of Canada decision on December 1, 2017.

“It’s not every day that we come across an organization such as yours that would assist First Nations with such a cause as ours. Mahsi cho for all your efforts and RAVEN for providing fundraising and support to the Peel Land Use Planning court session. It has been an honor to work with you on this initiative.” Chief Roberta Joseph, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in

Canada approved the Northern Gateway pipeline & tankers project in 2014, against the wishes of the majority of citizens and communities in B.C. Over 100 First Nations declared a ban on tar sands pipelines and tankers in their territories, and critical legal challenges were launched to stop the project.

An alliance of Indigenous Nations was forged between the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo X'ai x'ais, Gitxaala, Gitga'at, Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli and Haida Nations. Based on the flawed Joint Review Panel findings, the successful court cases led to the cancelling of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tankers project.

How the RAVEN community supported this victory

Communities across B.C. responded by hosting film screenings, musical events, and raising money online to support their fight. Businesses joined forces by donating proceeds during the "Week to End Enbridge", while major donors provided matching funds to amplify grassroots action. Together with Sierra Club BC, RAVEN raised more than $600,000 for the legal challenges that ultimately quashed the pipeline approval and led to victory.

While the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project ultimately went ahead (subject to further legal challenges), the Indigenous legal challenges led to the voiding of the first approval in 2018, significantly slowing down construction.

59 First Nations (including almost every coastal nation directly affected by tanker traffic, 21 B.C. municipalities including North Vancouver, Victoria, and Burnaby) and over 210,000 citizens signed petitions opposing the Trans Mountain (TMX) pipeline expansion project. In June 2019, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Indigenous Nations and quashed the pipeline approval. After a new set of consultations, the federal government again approved TMX in 2019 and this time the Court of Appeal upheld the approval. But Coldwater Nations successfully pushed for a re-route of the pipeline, protecting its community's aquifer.

How the RAVEN Community supported this campaign

We built an incredible movement of community activists, organizational allies and business supporters from Seattle to Montreal. People came together in wonderfully creative ways, hosting everything from Pancakes Not Pipelines brunch parties to a "TMX is Such a Drag" Burlesque show. Online fundraisers and community event organizers raised $1.2 million for the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Coldwater Nations to support court challenges to push back against TMX.

https://pull-together.ca