RAVEN - Celebrating year 5! Plus some key updates...
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- Published on Thursday, 03 April 2014 20:40
- Written by editor
Dear RAVENers,
April 1st was a landmark in RAVEN’s history! It was 5 years ago that a group of individuals came together and decided that something had to be done about the extreme unfairness in the Canadian justice system with regards to protecting First Nations rights.Here are 5 reasons, one for each year of our existence as to why we feel we are doing important work!
1. We are Effective: From our days of only two programs, we have now expanded to multiple campaign communities including the Tsilhqot’in Nation, Beaver Lake Cree, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Gitga’at Nation, Gitxaala Nation, Haisla Nation, Lake Babine First Nation. We have had many successes, most recently with saving Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) a second time with the federal rejection of Taseko Mines Ltd.’s proposed “New Prosperity Mine” was rejected. RAVEN was all in for the first round on that project as well! RAVEN also proudly assisted Beaver Lake Cree Nation to fend off two concerted efforts to have their historic legal action against the expansion of the tar sands from being thrown out of court. The case is now moving to trial. And we were behind a successful judicial review aimed at saving the endangered woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta.
2. We are Supported: We have the support of many including 4,000 likes on Facebook, 1500 Twitter followers (many of them international), and have expanded to 3 staff members! We love collaborating and are currently involved with Creatively United for the Planet, PowerShift, 1% for the Planet, and Beyond AirMiles.
3. We are Unique: RAVEN is the ONLY organization in Canada that exclusively provides legal defence funds for First Nations. We are unique in the Canadian landscape, and we are having a direct impact on the litigation processes of these important cases. Passionate, dedicated and committed to social change describes the attitude of our board members, staff and volunteers. We are a lean, efficient and hard-working organization that will stretch itself to achieve the goals it set towards realizing their vision for a country that embraces the values of the First Nations.
4. We Envision a Brighter Future: We are rooted in an ethic that comes from a belief in fairness. We build partnerships, not empires. We hope for a day when our vision is realized and our services are no longer needed because constitutional democracy is flourishing. But until then, we do our best to level the playing field. Because we also see that what is at stake for First Nations is at stake for everyone – the expectation that we will always have water to drink, land to grow healthy food on, and sustainable ecosystems for all life.5. We are Grateful: We could not do it without all of the support of our funders: from individual donors like you to socially responsible corporations and foundations. Thank you so much for all that you do!
In other news...
We've switched to CanadaHelps.org to process donations. We still do have donors with monthly payments coming through PayPal, and that's great. We decided to use CH because for donors, CanadaHelps is a one-stop-shop for giving. They make donating online easy and secure, and they issue the tax receipts, which takes some of that burden off our small but mighty organization. The only thing for now is that if you click on the "Donate Now" button to the right of our home page, it takes you to the Donate page, and you just have to click again on the CH button. It still works though! And donors can still designate to which program they wish their funds to be applied.
BEAVER LAKE CREE NATION UPDATEThe new legal team and our development director Laurie are meeting with the nation's membership April 10th on BLCN territory. Crystal Lameman, who is now part of the communications team, will also be there along with Chief Henry Gladue and council to explain the work plan for getting the case to trial. Lawyer Robert Janes will talk through the legal plan, and Laurie will explain fundraising issues and goals. The current somewhat urgent need is funding for an expert ethno-historian. The rough estimate is $40,000.
TEZTAN BINY (FISH LAKE) - The current situation....Despite the second federal rejection of the New Prosperity mine proposal, our role in this did not end there. Taseko Mines Limited immediately started attacking the credibility of the independent panel, culminating in not one, but two judicial reviews filed by the company. In these lawsuits the company asks the Federal Court to either set aside key findings of the Panel and declare the Panel’s process unfair to the company or reverse the Minister’s decision.
The Tsilhqot’in Chiefs describe the company’s allegations as completely without merit and a transparent effort to distract attention from the second independent review to conclude that the mine would bring massive environmental and cultural destruction. However, the company’s actions have left the Tsilhqot’in with little choice but to participate in this litigation to defend their rights and interests. Clearly, the company is trying to bury this nation financially.
In order to participate in the two judicial reviews, the Tsilhqot’in have estimated that $75,000 is required in order to have the resources they need to ensure that justice is served! Currently, we have raised $30k towards the goal. RAVEN is as committed to trying to raise these funds as we were five years ago. It will take all of us but we believe we can protect Teztan Biny and the Tsilhqot’in culture once and for all. Could you please consider making a contribution to support to the judicial review process for the Tsilhqot’in?
AND FINALLY...
RAVEN proudly assisted a central BC First Nation with urgent funding required for a mine review of a project that would be located in the heart of the band's gorgeous, remote, wildlife-rich traditional territory and on the edge of a lake that offers some of the most valuable rearing habitat for the Skeena River sockeye fishery.And coming soon, a new venture that we are excited to tell you about - a joint-fundraising effort connected to several nations and a certain pipeline. More details soon!!
As always, we so appreciate you - and your ongoing support for our programs. Enjoy the warmer days, and please stay in touch. We always love hearing from our RAVEN friends.
warmly,
Susan Smitten
Executive Director
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