Xeni Gwet'in elders gather at Big Onion Lake - Williams Lake Tribune - RAVEN

Xeni Gwet’in elders gather at Big Onion Lake – Williams Lake Tribune

RAVEN|July 23, 2009|News

A report on the recent gathering, and the need to save Teztan Biny from the proposed Taseko Mines Ltd. Prosperity Gold/Copper mine.

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Here’s our Weekly News Round up for September 22

Here’s our Weekly News Round up for September 22 to 29th! We are using our blog and social media to amplify media outlets and journalists who are being censored by Bill C-18 in Canada. Share widely with the LINK IN BIO!

This week, Indigenous Nations and their supporters took to the streets of Toronto to say no to mining on their territory without consent or consultation. They invited Premier Doug Ford to meet with them on September 26th to discuss the issue, but he did not appear.
"There are about 5,000 mining claims in our traditional territory alone, and we weren't told properly and actually they were given permission without any free, prior and informed consent from us — so we're not very happy about that," says Chief Rudy Turtle of Grassy Narrows First Nations (from cbc)

A week prior, Ford rescinded his plans to develop the Greenbelt, apologizing to the Ontario community for breaking their trust.

On the same day as the Sept 26 demonstration in Toronto, here on the west coast, the BC Supreme Court announced their decision on Gitxaała Nation’s groundbreaking legal challenge, a ruling that has deemed that the province’s mining permit system is not in compliance with the government's duty to consult Indigenous groups.

“The court’s decision makes clear what we knew all along: B.C. owes a duty to consult Gitxaała and other Indigenous nations prior to granting mineral claims in our territories, and it is breaching that duty,” Gitxaała Chief Councillor Linda Innes said in a statement.
Tomorrow is Orange Shirt Day and we encourage you to listen, learn and engage in events happening in your community. We have put together a list of events on our website, happening in communities across the country for you to consider attending, as well as a list of resources for education.

Indigenous people continue to assert their rights and laws amidst ongoing colonialism. We encourage you to take the time to learn about Canada’s history, and support Nations who are stewarding a way of being that ensures caretaking practices for the betterment of the Earth and future generations.

This week, we asked you to send messages to Gitxaa

This week, we asked you to send messages to Gitxaała's leadership following the Supreme Court of BC issuing a decision on Gitxaała’s legal challenge against free mining in B.C. We are awash in messages of gratitude from you all! Here are a few notes you sent in:

🌱 "Thank you so much for standing up against Big Money. I hope this paradigm shift helps Land defenders such as yourselves ensure that the environment we depend on will be protected against greed. Thank you!" -

🌱 "Momentous challenge and success! Natural law has a higher calling and will be supported. Responsibilities not rights. No side-stepping the spirit. Thank you all."

🌱 "I just want to say thank you for your courage and your tenacity in fighting for your rights against the government and mining corporation. I know this has been a hard fight and your strength is beautiful and makes so much more right in the world when so much of this imposed colonial system has done so much wrong"

Gitxaała Chief Councillor Linda Innes welcomed the Court’s decision, emphasizing that “The Court’s decision makes clear what we knew all along: BC owes a duty to consult Gitxaała and other Indigenous nations prior to granting mineral claims in our territories, and it is breaching that duty. The provincial government must now act quickly to eliminate its unjust practice of selling off our rights without our consultation or consent.”

As the Court decision means it will be 18 months before Nations can benefit from the new system, Innes expressed deep regret that the mineral claims challenged in this case were not set aside, a decision that “leaves our territory open for continued mineral claims staking without consultation for the time being.”

What’s Next?

This BC Supreme Court decision has far-reaching implications for mineral tenure in the province. It underscores the importance of consultation with Indigenous Nations before granting mineral claims. While the Court has allowed an 18-month window for reforms, you can be sure that RAVEN will be following this story closely.

For updates to your inbox, join our newsletter with the LINK IN BIO!

📸 - @jimmyshootz/@thenarwhalca @pangea1010/RAVEN, Paulina Otylia.

From @thenarwhalca RAVEN is awash in messages of

From @thenarwhalca

RAVEN is awash in messages of gratitude following the Supreme Court of BC issued a decision on Gitxaała’s legal challenge against free mining in B.C.

The Court’s ruling mandates the government to implement substantial changes to the existing mineral tenure system in B.C. In a 90 page decision, Justice Ross declared that the current online system for automatic registration of mineral claims, lacking a consultation mechanism, is “simply wrong.” Why? Because granting prospectors access to territory — without consulting or even informing the Nation on whose land the claim is staked — breaches the constitutional obligations of the Crown. Thanks to this transformational judgement, BC has been given an 18-month window to design a new, constitutionally valid regime.
***
While technically, claims can continue to be made over the next 18 months, “the landscape has totally changed as a result of this decision,” Gavin Smith, who was part of Gitxaała’s legal team, told The Narwhal.

“Consent and recognition of Indigenous jurisdiction is going to be required in how mineral rights are being addressed. And anyone who’s trying to sneak in the door in the next 18 months is going to be prejudicing their interests over the long-term by ignoring nations’ jurisdiction of the territories,” Smith said.

Read the full story by Francesca Fionda of @thenarwhalca 👉 thenarwhal.ca/bc-mining-gitxaala-ehattesaht-case-verdict/

Today, 5 Northern Ontario First Nations joined for

Today, 5 Northern Ontario First Nations joined forces with 6000 marchers to push back against the Ontario government’s rampant pro-mining, pro-logging, pro-industry agenda.

The Land Defence Alliance (LDA), which represents Neskantaga First Nation, Grassy Narrows, Wapekeka First Nation, Muskrat Dam First Nation and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), convened at Queen’s Park on Tuesday in their third attempt this year to meet Premier Doug Ford. The group wanted him to sign an agreement promising not to allow mining development against their will.

A teach-in was held at a Toronto dinner yesterday, where spokespeople for Nations spoke passionately about what’s at stake, and shared visions for their communities and People.

The action culminated in a huge march through downtown Toronto, where thousands of people, unions, organizations and supporters rallied in the streets to call for an end to unwanted mining in the vast carbon-storing peatlands — what Nations call “The Breathing Lands” of Ontario’s north.

Stand with Anishinaabe and Ojibwe leaders who are saying “enough” to the tearing up of their territories for short term profit. Join the movement by signing up for Grassy Narrows' newsletter at freegrassy.net or LINK IN BIO! @grassy.narrows.solidarity

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