Program areas at RAVEN
GITXAALA:Gitxaala Nation is taking B.C. and several "free miners", including Global Mineral Resources Corp., to court over mineral claims in their territory that were registered without notification, consultation, or consent. B.C. is vigorously opposing Gitxaala litigation, despite its much touted Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) action plan and directive on civil litigation. B.C. currently allows corporations to stake mining claims in Indigenous territory without prior notification. Gitxaala Nation is asking the court to uphold Free, Prior, and Informed consent (FPIC), and quash the mineral claims on Banks Island. A successful court outcome could result in a complete overhaul of the Mineral Tenure Act.
HEILTSUK NATIONThe case focuses on damages from the catastrophic Nathan E. Stewart spill that spewed toxic fuels into Heiltsuk's marine ecosystem; including key shellfish harvesting areas and critical habitat for the Northern Abalone. The Nation are taking the polluter, Kirby Corporation, and the federal and provincial governments to court. A win could toughen oil spill regulations along the whole Pacific coast and set a precedent for Aboriginal title to the foreshore and seabed. It would strengthen Heiltsuk jurisdiction so they can manage their territory according to Heiltsuk laws. ...(continued on Schedule O)HEILTSUK NATION - $125,537 - continued:Updates: Heiltsuk Nation are in the process of wrapping up their Indigenous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Nathan E. Stewart spill. The EIA will be crucial in proving environmental, social, and cultural damages at trial.
BEAVER LAKE CREE NATION (BLCN):BLCN's "Defend the Treaties" constitutional challenge, filed in 2008, argues that the cumulative impacts of industry in their territory amounted to a breach of Treaty. In 2019 Beaver Lake Cree Nation won an Advance Costs Order (ACO) that would have divided trial costs equally among the BLCN, Canada and Alberta. That decision was overturned by Alberta's appeal court, leaving the Nation struggling to find ways to pay for its groundbreaking case. ....(continued on Schedule O) BEAVER LAKE CREE NATION (BLCN) - $256,202 - continued: In March 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a decision in Anderson v Alberta [Beaver Lake Cree] that spells out a test for awarding advance costs to offset the expenses of public interest litigants. This means that Canada and Alberta must now apply the new standards in determining ACO amounts ahead of the retrial in 2024. This is a win for BLCN and for RAVEN, and sets an important precedent for other litigants to successfully pursue ACOs.
1. INTERVENOR FUND (Expenses - $84,531)In 2022 RAVEN launched a new "Intervenor Fund" to allow Nations and Indigenous organizations to participate in and influence litigation without bearing the full cost of legal challenges. RAVEN kicked off the first year by investing $84,531 USD. 2. NESKANTAGA - RING OF FIRE (Expenses - $59,013)Background: Neskantaga First Nation is challenging the Ontario government in court for failing to fulfill its duty to consult on the main north-south mining road being built to the "Ring of Fire". This major industrial access road will fragment intact boreal ecosystems and bisect Neskantaga territory. This will have enormous repercussions on the Neskantaga rights to hunt, fish and perform traditional cultural activities on their land and waters. Updates: In July 2022 the Nation reached the grim milestone of 10,000 days on a boil-water advisory. Responses, cross examinations, delivery of factums and hearings will occur in the first half of 2023. 3. SECWEPEMC (Expenses - $50,872)Background: The Secwepemc have a process of managing the land and resources that kept the land in a near pristine state and benefited each succeeding generation for the last 12,000 years. The title case will facilitate the application of that established knowledge into future management and development of the land and resources for Secwepemc and settlers alike.Updates: This title action is still in the early trial preparation stage. RAVEN is in post-production of a 45-minute documentary with Secwepemc. The film, titled The Sky and the Land Will Turn, was produced through a youth mentorship program with Indigenous filmmakers. The film will be used to fundraise for the Secwepemc title case while offering public education on Aboriginal title. 4. GRASSY NARROWS (Expenses - $40,841): Grassy Narrows First Nation is taking Canada and Ontario to court over the mercury contamination of their life-giving river in northern Ontario. The lawsuit is based on the governments' failure to act in a way that upholds Treaty 3: this includes protecting Grassy Narrows' right to fish, hunt, and practice their culture while restoring their Anishinaabe way of life and wellbeing. 5. FESTIVAL AFLOAT (Expenses - $40,772): Through Festival Afloat: the Salish Sea Tour, RAVEN explored new ways to meet the RAVEN community and fundraise across the Salish Sea. 6. SITE C - WEST MOVERLY FIRST NATION (Expenses - $18,664):The Nation opted for a negotiated settlement with the Province of British Columbia and Canada. 7. FISH FARMS (Expenses - $18,044): The Salmon Nations Campaign was a joint effort from Homalco and Tla'amin Nations. It was a legal action that aimed to ensure the Court would consider the serious impacts of fish farms on their Aboriginal rights to fish, and on their culture. In 2022, Homalco Nation and Tla'amin Nations both confirmed they had to withdraw from the legal action. As a result, RAVEN disbursed all funds for Salmon Nations to Homalco Nation and Tla'amin Nations and concluded the fundraising campaign. 8. OTHER PROGRAMS (Expenses - $3,872):RAVEN continued to work on smaller legal projects with various indigenous nations.