Raven's Eye

DOUG EYFORD, A VANCOUVER LAWYER,
treaty negotiator, and the Prime Minister’s envoy to develop energy corridors across British Columbia with First Nations onside said he’s lost time with the stage set for “confrontation and resistance” not agreement. He said there is no quick fix or shortcut on the road to working with First peoples on energy extraction. Eyford spoke to a summit on…

A NEW FIRST NATIONS COURT  has opened up in Duncan, B.C. It is the first such court on Vancouver Island, providing a new option as people attempt to navigate the judicial system. “This court is unique compared to the contemporary Provincial Court,” said Cowichan Tribes Community Justice Coordinator Calvin Swustus. “It does have a First Nations judge, a First Nations Crown counsel, and duty…

DEVELOPMENT OF A VANCOUVER REAL ESTATE PROJECT
on the site called the Marpole Midden has been halted and the Musqueam Nation is declaring victory. Protests occurred over months to stop construction of the five-storey project at the ancient village site that has been described as “one of the most significant archaeological sites in Canada.” B.C. Ministry of Lands and Forests announced in…

GRAND CHIEF DOUG KELLY,  chair of the First Nations Health Council, was joined Oct. 21 by Rona Ambrose, federal Minister of Health, and B.C. Minister of Health Terry Lake, to celebrate the historic transfer of all health programs and services for B.C. First Nations previously administered by Health Canada to the new First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). “Now is the time for B.C. First Nations…

Hupacasath First Nation will appeal a federal court ruling that dismissed its challenge of Canada's China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Spokesperson Brenda Sayers said Hupacasath, a nation of about 300 members, urgently needs funds to finance the appeal. The FIPA provides mutual protections for Canadian companies operating in China and Chinese investments in Canada. It…

Tolko and West Fraser logging operations near Williams Lake has been halted by Tsilhqot’in First Nation protesters. Jerry Mooney of Tolko said 55 of one of its contractor’s employees are being affected by the blockades Sept. 23. “It appears it’s four or five individuals near our logging camp at the junction of the 2800 and 3200 Roads,” Mooney is quoted in the Williams Lake Tribune. Yunesit’in…

The Tahltan Central Council is celebrating Fortune Minerals’ decision to halt mineral exploration activities in the Klappan. Fortune made the announcement Sept 23 that it will halt drilling and has suspended all activity at its Arctos Anthracite coal project. Tahltan Elders, leaders and community members have focused their efforts in recent weeks to persuade Fortune to leave the area. “Today…

Edward Dennis vividly remembers the northern winter day that four of his fellow students attempted to escape the abuse and starvation of Lejac Indian Residential School in Fraser Lake, B.C. Only one of his classmates survived.

“They were running away from Lejac,” he said. “One of them turned around at Piper’s Glen. He could hear (the other) three fall through the ice.”

Standing…

The Legacy Pole is considered by the Haida Nation as a significant creation, but it is personal for carver Jaalen Edenshaw and Haida Nation President Peter Lantin.

Edenshaw, whose design and story was chosen by a committee to commemorate 20 years of the Haida Nation and Canada working together, recalled attending meetings with his father leading up to the Lyell Island logging blockades…

Blockaders in Tahltan Nation issued an eviction notice to Fortune Minerals on Aug. 14 over the firm’s proposed $10-billion open-pit coal mine in what they say could destroy three northern B.C. rivers vital to their culture and lands.

For years Fortune’s 4,000-hectare Arctos Anthracite Project has generated opposition and controversy amongst the Tahltan. Environmentalists have dubbed the…

On July 2, the B.C. Court of Appeal reaffirmed its own legal ruling that recognized the commercial fishing rights of five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. Last fall the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) rejected Canada’s request to appeal the court’s first decision on the matter, but sent the case back to the appeals court for reconsideration under the lens of the SCC’s decision in the case known as Lax Kw…

Rod McCormick is B.C.’s choice to lead researchers studying early childhood development among First Nations in Kamloops. He will head teams at Thompson Rivers University. McCormick, a psychologist, has worked with the Canadian Institutes of Mental Health on such projects as Aboriginal mental health and youth suicide. Children’s Minister Stephanie Cadieux said McCormick is a national expert and…

Tribal leaders are asking for support to rebuild the economic hub of the community at Bella Bella, devastated by fire July 12. The building housed the only grocery store, liquor store, post office, community library and café, and suffered extensive damage from smoke, fire and water, including the collapse of parts of the main floor into the offices and services located below. Heiltsuk Chief…

First Nations language champions were recognized in Vancouver in July for outstanding achievement in language revitalization. Reginald Dennis is a champion of the Tahltan language. He won the Youth Award, which honors individuals 18 to 30, who are learning their language and inspiring others. Bridget Dan, champion of the Secwepem||=ôctsín language, is the recipient of the Community Education…

The federal office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer says Canada needs to double the dollars provided to B.C. for on-reserve schools, just for their upkeep. The office said funding required could reach $47 million by 2028-29, based on anticipated growth in student populations. Ottawa typically provides $26 million annually. The report was requested by NDP Aboriginal Affairs critic, MP Jean…