News
COVID 19: No excuse to delay reconciliation
While pipeline construction, man camps and resource extraction continued unencumbered throughout the pandemic, long standing commitments to Indigenous rights and reconciliation are taking a back seat. The pandemic has jeopardized delivery of the Canadian government’s reconciliation commitments, including a promise to end all long-term boil-water advisories on First Nation’s reserves by next March. The September…
Q&A with Wet’suwet’en legal counsel D.J. Larkin
We sat down with lawyer D.J. Larkin, together with matriarchs from Wet’suwet’en Nation, for an engaging, powerful and emotional webinar last October 20th. You can view the video of that conversation here. Many people had questions for Larkin which we didn’t have time to unpack during that presentation. Here are some deeper dives into the…
Lawyer. Academic. Mother. Changemaker: Meet Kekinusuqs Dr. Judith Sayers
| Story by Rachel Ivey | Dr. Judith Sayers has so many accomplishments to her name, it would take a documentary film series to cover them all. This dynamic, generous leader is constantly in motion, constantly in service, and yet always seems to have time to work on issues that arise in her community, and…
RAVEN calls on the Federal and Nova Scotia Governments to uphold the honour and integrity of the Crown in their dealings with the Mi’kmaq people.
RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) calls on the Federal and Nova Scotia Governments to uphold the honour and integrity of the Crown in their dealings with the Mi’kmaq people and secure peace and friendship consistent with treaty promises. RAVEN is disheartened at the violence being perpetrated against Mi’kmaq people in an attempt to…
VIDEO: Weaving Solidarity: Honouring Stolen Sisters
Join a powerful circle of healing and remembrance: bear witness to a webinar with Wet’suwet’en matriarchs that took place October 20, 2020. We hear so often about “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls”. Behind that grim descriptor are people’s lives: in remembering, it is so important to say their names, and remember their stories.…
In solidarity with Mi’kmaw: the Marshall Decision, explained
What is the Marshall Decision? Do Treaties guarantee commercial fishing rights for the Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous Peoples of the Atlantic Coast? That question is at the heart of the Supreme Court of Canada decision in the Marshall case. In Marshall the Supreme Court was grappling with the interpretation of historic Peace and Friendship Treaties…
Weaving Solidarity, Honouring Stolen Sisters
Weaving SOliDARITY: No More Stolen Sisters TUESDAY October 20th, 2020 5:00pm Pacific | 8:00pm Eastern save my spot D.J. Larkin An associate at Woodward and Company, DJ’s primary areas of practice are constitutional law and rights and title litigation. Throughout all facets of her work, she is determined to act as an advocate in providing…
Earnest Ice Cream offers RAVEN a cool $6K!
Here at RAVEN, we’re so grateful to all the businesses that continuously step up to show support for Indigenous rights. Earnest Ice Cream recently raised $6000 for Indigenous legal challenges. During a time where small businesses are experiencing deep uncertainty, it’s humbling to see them continue to take a stand for justice. Earnest Ice Cream…
What inspires a RAVEN champion?
We were SO delighted to receive this message from one of our online fundraisers, who writes: Team RAVEN, I have worked in renewable energy development in the United States for 14 years, developing wind, solar and battery energy projects across the country with the goal of decarbonizing the grid. I have deep environmental convictions that led me…
Linking MMIWG2S Report to Wet’suwet’en legal challenges
The Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirits produced a Final Report in 2019 which specifically linked “man camps” (worker camps for resource projects in remote areas) to increased risk of violence against Indigenous women and girls. This finding was based on the testimony of expert witnesses as well as community…
From Calder to Tsilhqot’in: The Past, Present and Future of Aboriginal Title
In Tsilhqot’in Nation v British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a declaration of Aboriginal title for the first time in its history. To better understand the evolution of Aboriginal title, from Calder to Tsilhqot’inand beyond, McGill Law Journal interviews David Rosenberg, whose extensive experience includes acting as lead counsel for the Tsilhqot’in Nation at trial and on…
VIDEO: Hereditary chiefs, matriarchs and legal counsel for Wet’suwet’en speak
Last night over 700 people registered for a webinar to hear hereditary chiefs, elders, legal counsel and RAVEN for a webinar to unpack the court challenges underway NOW in B.C. Supreme Court. Watch the video of the online rally: Ana Simeon of RAVEN outlined the purpose of the call, explaining the basis of the legal…
WEBINAR: Rare chance to hear from Hereditary Chiefs & legal experts on Wet’suwet’en challenges
Individually, we’re one drop. Together? We’re a mighty river. We’ve been waiting a long time for Wet’suwet’en’s case to be heard by the BC Supreme Court. On October 2, hereditary chiefs who aim to stop Coastal GasLink from encroaching on their territory will be in court for the second – and final – day of their…
Artist raffles custom hand painted Vans
Antisocial Sk8 Shop on Main St. in Vancouver is hosting a raffle for these gorgeous handprinted shoes. Featuring hereditary chiefs of Wet’suwet’en Nation, the shoes are painted by Nora Pape, a Coast Salish youth. Along with the shoes, the shop is raffling a hand embroidered silk banner made with love by the beautiful Fyme Lahcene.…
Hard-fought Constitutional protection could lose its meaning
On the west coast of North America, smoke from massive wildfires has choked out the sun. Amidst floods on the Gulf Coast and record breaking temperatures in the Arctic, the pressures of a changing climate are being felt across Turtle Island. Today, a courageous Indigenous Nation is facing down that climate calamity with determined action.…
A remarkable floating fundraiser for remarkable times
A group of islanders have found a unique way to host a covid-safe, socially distanced fundraiser. Thursday, September 3’s “Throw a Boat Down” event will be a paddle-powered, floating concert in support of RAVEN. The show will be livestreamed to audiences everywhere from a floating stage anchored just off the coast of Salt Spring Island.…
7 Indigenous Businesses the RAVEN Community Loves
Back in May we asked our supporters on social media to share some of their favourite Indigenous-owned businesses they love to support, we rounded up the most popular suggestions! Copper Canoe Woman @coppercanoewoman Wild Greens Sovereignty @wildgreenssovereignty Skwalwen Botanicals @skwalwenbotanicals Indigenous intentions @indigenousintentions Mamawi Creations @mamawicreations Among the Wildflowers @among_the_wildflowers Thunderbird woman reads@thunderbuirdwomanreads
Some of Our Favourite Indigenous Authors
It is no secret that knowledge is power, and we can wield storytelling as a tool for justice. Equipped with both, we can find ourselves nurtured, inspired and informed as we continue planting seeds for a more just world. These Indigenous authors and their powerful books have come highly recommended by the incredible community of RAVEN…
Overturning racist policies: Podcast with RAVEN’s Ana Simeon
The murder of George Floyd has sparked a global movements to overturn racist policies and institutions. Canada has its own history with racism embodied in the colonial agenda to dispossess First Nations of their inherent rights and title over the land. In Episode 9 of the Awake in Relationship podcast, our Fundraising Campaigns Director, Ana…
Reclamation of Governance: Short Film on Heiltsuk’s Constitution
Earlier this year, we witnessed the historic Big House opening on Heiltsuk territory. During a four day potlach ceremony, totem poles were raised that tell the story of who the Heiltsuk are and where they are going. Guided by 14,000 years of history, ancestral laws, memory and tradition, the Heiltsuk are deeply committed to revitalizing…