Pull Together Nations Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh take anti-TMX cases to Supreme Court
Back in September, the Pull Together team celebrated the fact that the First Nations’ cases against Trans Mountain were going ahead even though the Federal Court of Appeal had rejected applications from Ecojustice and other environmental groups. Unfortunately, in the same September 4th decision, the judge significantly narrowed the grounds on which the Nations can... Read More
The Legal Low-down Behind Squamish Nation’s Court Case against TMX
The Squamish Nation is a Coast Salish Nation whose territory includes Burrard Inlet, English Bay, Howe Sound, the Squamish Valley and north to Whistler. The Trans Mountain Expansion calls for new pipeline routes through Squamish Territory, 13 new tanks and one replacement tank at the Burnaby Terminal, the dismantling of the current Westridge Marine Terminal... Read More
Making the Impossible, Possible
Our incredible community of Indigenous leaders and emboldened allies have already achieved the unthinkable — from quashing Trudeau’s Trans Mountain pipeline dreams last summer to standing our ground by raising an amazing $137,000 for First Nations’ court challenges since July. Way to go Pull Together! Huge shoutout to this incredible ongoing online fundraisers! Queers for Qlimate... Read More
Tŝilhqot’in Nation is an Example of Climate Justice
(Reposting from Kai Nagata of Dogwoodbc.ca) On a plateau high above the Chilcotin River near Williams Lake, the largest solar energy facility in Western Canada is about to come online. Its 3,456 panels stand on the site of an abandoned sawmill, a beacon of hope for communities hammered by automation and climate change. Owned, built... Read More
Heiltsuk’s Historic Big House Opening is a Powerful Testament of Sovereignty and Resilience
For generations Indigenous governance was carried out carefully amid the federal ban of governance practices. Today, the voices of Heiltsuk people are ringing out loud and clear across the land and water. At the heart of Waglisla (known as Bella Bella), the mural-festooned cedar Big House stands as a triumphant marker of Heiltsuk pride. Inside,... Read More
Rolling out the red carpet for Indigenous protectors at VIFF
October 8, 2019: On the eve of the raising of a Big House in Heiltsuk territory, the Vancouver International Film Festival hosted a special joint screening with Tsleil Waututh and Heiltsuk Nations. RAVEN’s latest documentary, “Raven People Rising”, screened alongside “When the Tide Goes Out”, a piece by Eliot Galan chronicling the return of the... Read More
As Heiltsuk Raises the Roof on Their Historic Big House, RAVEN Launches a Week of Action
Heiltusk are raising a Big House in the heart of their community where they can host potlatches, hold ceremonies and carry out traditional governance of their territory. It’s no coincidence that the Big House opens on the anniversary of the Nathan E. Stewart spill. Fiercely determined to enshrine Indigenous stewardship practices into law, the Heiltsuk... Read More
Tar Sands Trial boosted: Beaver Lake Cree awarded advance costs
(français ci dessous) This week, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench granted advance costs to Beaver Lake Cree Nation to allow it to proceed with its “Tar Sands Trial” treaty case against Canada and Alberta. It’s a huge breakthrough for a case that’s been called ‘a gamechanger’ for Indigenous rights in Canada. Now, after years... Read More