The Nathan E. Stewart sank. But the Heiltsuk Nation is rising.
On the second anniversary of the sinking of the Nathan E. Stewart, Heiltsuk chiefs filed a Notice of Civil Claim in the BC Supreme Court! The Heiltsuk are suing Kirby Corporation, B.C., and Canada over a catastrophic oil spill in Heiltsuk marine waters on October 13, 2016. The Nathan E. Stewart, a tug-barge combo, ran aground... Read More
RAVEN Victories
Our latest Annual Report is here! RAVEN conducted an audit in 2017, looking at our systems and financial operations in minute detail. It’s part of our commitment to scrupulously stewarding the precious funds that come our way so we can be as lean, mean and effective as possible. Read about our accomplishments in 2017, from... Read More
Tsilhqot’in Nation Secures Injunction Preventing Taseko From Commencing Drilling Program Until Appeal is Determined
In a decision released from the bench, the Court of Appeal granted an injunction to the Tsilhqot’in, effectively stopping exploratory drilling and road building by Taseko Mines. The court found that the likelihood of Taseko being able to meet its 2020 deadline was in “substantial doubt.” It accepted that there was a serious issue to... Read More
We won! A resounding victory against Kinder Morgan
Epic. Ecstatic. Elated. Some of the words today from Indigenous leadership as they took in the Federal Court of Appeal ruling on the now quashed Kinder Morgan pipeline. To quote Squamish elected councilor Khelsilem – “Quash is an old, old, old Squamish word that means ‘told you so!’” We’re celebrating too – doing the happy dance! ... Read More
Tsilhqot’in vow to fight on despite BC Supreme Court loss
Today, the B.C. Supreme court granted an exploration permit to Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML). The permit approves an extensive drilling, road building and excavation program by TML that purports to advance its rejected New Prosperity Mine project. “We will not stand by as Taseko Mines Ltd. moves forward with a drilling program for a mine... Read More
Courageous Conversations: Livestream September 27
With case after case being won by Indigenous Nations in the courts, a new generation of scholars, legal experts and grassroots leaders are leading a quiet revolution in Canadian history. Join a discussion of how Indigenous legal traditions are shaping our world with eminent Anishnaabe legal scholar John Borrows, Executive Director of the Circle on... Read More
Parade and Party with Buckman Coe for Salish Sea Day of Action
People throughout the Salish Sea, from Puget Sound to Johnson Straight, are gathering on Saturday September 15 to celebrate our magnificent home, and to highlight risks posed by fossil fuel infrastructure in the Salish Sea. Renowned for its natural beauty, wildlife, artists, musicians, craftsmanship and the diversity of cultures and ecosystems, the Salish Sea is one... Read More
Happy anniversary: the day Petronas blinked
On July 25 last year, Petronas cancelled their $36B Pacific Northwest LNG project, including a massive LNG terminal in the middle of the salmon nursery on Lelu Island. Faced with court challenges by four Indigenous groups: the Tsimshian tribe of Gitwilgyoots, the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, the Gitxsan House of Gwininitxw and the Gitxsan House of... Read More
Meet Young Scholars Essay Prize Winners Helen and Helena!
We’re thrilled to announce winners of this years’ Young Scholars Essay Prize. First prize is awarded to Helen Knott, Prophet River First Nation. We’ve had the privilege of working with Helen on the Site-C campaign, as she was a strong voice for Treaty 8 on the “Caravan for the Peace” that travelled across Canada from... Read More
Beaver Lake Cree powwow lifts us all up
Together with RAVEN’s executive director Susan Smitten, I was honoured to attend the Beaver Lake Cree hosted pow wow near Lac La Biche on Treaty 6 territory last weekend. We were among just a handful of non-Indigenous guests who attended: mainly, the three-day event was a chance for extended families, pow wow circuit artists and... Read More