News
Festival Afloat 2023 Spotlight: a conversation with Hip Hop artist, Higher Knowledge
If you happened to catch us at Festival Afloat Vancouver on July 9, you’ll know that the show was opened by an incredible hip hop artist, HK aka Higher Knowledge! With a crowd of nearly 800 people paddling up or spreading blankets ashore we were all captivated by the stories, poetry, and teachings from HK.…
Breathing Lands benefit kicks off major new RAVEN campaign
On Monday, June 19 2023, Vancouver Unitarians kicked off the Breathing Lands campaign with a circle of voices, raised in praise (and protest) for our world.
The Hidden Truths of the Treaty No. 9 Agreement
Throughout Canada’s history, the relationship between Indigenous Nations and settlers has been marred by a long-standing pattern of broken promises and exploitation — and the signing of Treaty No. 9 is no different. Signed in 1905 and 1929, Treaty No. 9 is an agreement between the Crown and Indigenous Nations in Northern Ontario that, according…
Festival Afloat 2023
FESTIVAL AFLOAT 2023 save my spot Desirée Dawson & Higher Knowledge July 09 | Vancouver, Iy̓ál̓mexw, ʔəy̓alməxʷ (Jericho Beach) Saltwater Hank & Dagger Harbour July 11 | Gabriola Island, Silva Bay Marina Logan Staats July 13 | Victoria, Vic Event Centre Renée Layla July 13 | Salt Spring Island, Shiya’hwt (Ganges Harbour) July 14 | Pender…
Festival Afloat is Back!
In its fourth year, Festival Afloat is back — so grab your paddle for Indigenous justice! GET TICKETS at raventrust.com/paddle If you aren’t in one of the spots where Festival Afloat touches down, you can still be part of things by supporting Heiltsuk Nation: we welcome your ideas for fundraisers in your own town (Neighbourhood…
PODCAST: Voices of Wood Buffalo: Guest Episode with Louise Romain
This episode of RAVEN (De)Briefs is featuring a special guest episode by Lou Romain, recorded during the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal this past winter. This episode features the voices of Melody Lepine, Tori Cress, Daniel T’seleie and Paul Belanger, all recorded at a press conference organised by Environmental Defence Canada and Keepers of the…
Raise your voice with song leader Luke Wallace
Join RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) and Vancouver Unitarians Social Justice & Environment teams for a very special evening of songs and stories. Luke Wallace headlines a show that will bring together storytellers, spoken word and a chorus of voices to sing songs of praise and protest for our world. This event is…
The last word in Gitxaała’s Big Mining Challenge
Despite having only 2 weeks to prepare, Lisa Fong’s legal team, together with Gavin Smith of West Coast Environmental Law, presented so many pages in their 89-page submission of their closing arguments, they exceeded the upload bandwidth of the Law Courts’ portal. With just one day to sum it all up, Gitxaała’s lawyers did a…
Circle of Voices: An Evening of Song & Stories with Luke Wallace
Tickets You are invited… About the Event Join RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) and Vancouver Unitarians Social Justice & Environment teams for a very special evening of songs and stories. When: Monday June 19th, 7 pm Where: Vancouver Unitarians, 949 West 49th St. Luke Wallace headlines a show that will bring together storytellers,…
A glimmer of hope as Heiltsuk Nation and others intervene in the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Appeal
While RAVEN primarily supports Indigenous Nations with their own legal challenges, we also support access to justice by funding Interveners in Indigenous legal challenges across the Nation. For those of us who don’t speak legal jargon: Interveners are third-party voices who can bring unique perspectives to a case in which they may be impacted by…
The Vatican earns the slowest of claps for distancing itself from genocidal doctrine
First published in Ricochet, March 31, 2023 This week, the Vatican released a statement that repudiates the Doctrine of Discovery, the decree that has been used to subjugate Indigenous Peoples for half a millennium. But how should Canada reconcile the Church’s statement with what we see unfolding right now — another RCMP raid on Wet’suwet’en territory and…
Webinar Recap: Tripping over DRIPA – The Indigenous mining justice case that could change everything in B.C.
Last week we had the opportunity to hear from West Coast Environmental Law’s Jessica Clogg, and Gitxaala Legal Advisor James Herbert on a webinar. Clogg shared her optimism, expressing that “This case is winnable, because it’s very hard to argue that a system that allows someone to pay $1.75 a hectare in the territory without…
Grassy Narrows bans all industrial logging in territory with historic declaration
Grassy Narrows First Nation declares its territory to be an Indigenous Sovereignty and Protected Area. The new “Grassy Narrows Land Declaration” bans all industrial logging in Grassy Narrows’ Territory and asserts that Grassy Narrows will make their own land use decisions.
RAVEN launches new legal fundraising campaign to protect the Breathing Lands
Several First Nations from Treaty 9 territory, which covers about 2/3 of Ontario from Timmins north, are launching a historic case in Ontario court against the federal and provincial governments. The case is a head-on challenge to the Crown governments’ purported unilateral jurisdiction and decision-making control throughout Treaty 9 Territory. The case says that the…
An Earth Day homecoming story
We are so happy for Gitxaała standing up against colonial forces to preserve their land and culture for future generations.
PODCAST: Gitxaała Nation takes on the Mineral Tenure Act in B.C.
This episode of RAVEN Debriefs takes a look at how Gitxaała Nation is taking on the Mineral Tenure Act in B.C.
Win Prizes at Norway House this April 22nd!
Join Dee and Tasman as they raise money to support Gitxaała Nation’s legal challenge! These two Indigenous studies students at Camosun College who are hosting this fundraiser for their final project. Come on out on Saturday April 22nd, 5pm at Norway House to support!
Home on Native Land in the media
RAVEN’s educational mandate — the newest arm of the organization — kicked off with roaring success this year with the launch of Home on Native Land! With over 5000 people across Canada signed up to take the course, we are shining a light on the truth about Canada’s unjust history and amplifying the voices and…
PODCAST: A different kind of mining company
This episode of RAVEN Debriefs is a guest episode put together by Gitxaala’s legal team at Ng Ariss Fong.
PODCAST: Meet the Gitxaała Challenge Intervenors.
This episode of RAVEN Debriefs is a guest episode put together by Gitxaala’s legal team at Ng Ariss Fong.