RAVEN - Another win to start the year!
- Details
- Published on Friday, 07 February 2014 12:25
- Written by editor
Dear RAVENers,Welcome to 2014! There are quite a few significant updates with our programs. This coming year will be another big one, between Supreme Court decisions and starting legal actions.
We're happy to report one more small victory in the ongoing struggle of the Tsilhqot'in people against the proposed New Prosperity Mine! On February 4, the Federal Court ordered Taseko Mines Limited to add the Tsilhqot'in National Government and Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse as full parties to the company's court challenge to the scathing Panel Report for its proposed mine.The Federal Court concluded that the Tsilhqot'in people are "directly affected" by this litigation and noted that the New Prosperity proposal fails to address the significant environmental and cultural impacts that prompted the Federal Government to reject the original Prosperity Mine proposal in 2010.
The Federal Court judgment means that the Tsilhqot'in people will have full rights of participation in the company's legal challenge, which the Tsilhqot'in leadership has described as without merit and as a transparent effort to distract attention from the second independent panel to condemn its unacceptable mine proposal.A shout out to West Coast Environmental Law for supporting this motion financially. So to help now with fundraising for the legal costs of actually appearing in court with arguments, RAVEN is participating in an event in Victoria on Tuesday, February 18th. The details are on our events page - it's from 7 - 9pm at St. John the Divine church on Quadra Street.
One aspect of the event is a silent auction. If you have something you would be willing to contribute to the auction - artwork, a certificate for services, gift basket, etc. - please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at our office.
The Tsilhqot'in need roughly $60,000 to properly prepare and attend this court proceeding. As a corollory, the federal government decision on the New Prosperity mine is due by February 28th.
BEAVER LAKE CREE NATION MOVING AHEADIn May 2014, it will be six years since Beaver Lake Cree Nation launched its legal action aimed at protecting their traditional lands and treaty rights. This year, the band moves forward in preparation for trial with new legal counsel. The band is grateful to Woodward and Company for its tenacity in seeing them through both Canada and Alberta's Motion to Strike and subsequent appeal, which resulted in the 2013 confirmation from Alberta's Court of Appeal that the lawsuit will indeed go to trial. The Victoria-based Janes, Freedman, Kyle Law Corporation will take the case forward now. Litigation planning is under way, and there will be many more fundraisers and infomation coming soon.
TAX RECEIPT RE-ISSUE
A short note to donors that we will be re-issuing receipts this year - with our apologies. We used a new system and it was not without its glitches. Some people could not open the email for example. So we will aim to correct this and resend by February 14 at the latest. Thank you all for your patience and support.A quick head's up that RAVEN is likely moving to new office space within the next two months. We will let everyone know the details soon!
Again - we are proud to be doing this work, and thankful for so many helping hands. Happy Year of the Dragon. Gung Hay Fat Choy!
warmly,
Susan Smitten
Executive Director
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