RAVEN

RAVEN is 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 Indigenous people 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.
Until our vision is realized, we will continue to raise the awareness of First Nations' rights.

Raising funds to support the legal defence of key projects is a key part of RAVEN’s mission. Currently RAVEN supports two key legal projects of the utmost importance – ones that will have an impact on rights of First Nations in Canada, and potentially on the future of our global climate.

RAVEN’s other mandate is to assist First Nations by developing and delivering education to advance knowledge and understanding of available legal rights and remedies.

RAVEN is a values-driven organization that operates on a lean budget with limited staff and without any government subsidy or support. This allows RAVEN to operate as independent thinkers, untainted by government policy or agendas. RAVEN is also selective about corporate funding and avoids ties to the oil, gas and extraction sectors.

RAVEN will succeed with investment in building capacity and infrastructure for the organization to successfully operate and fulfill its ambitious vision for the future. Investment in the Sustainability Fund will directly impact the marketing, outreach, staffing and operational costs of the organization to ensure its long-term success and continued growth. Without relying on government grants RAVEN relies on donations from individuals and foundations to support the ongoing operational costs of our dynamic organization.

We are based in Victoria, British Columbia, and have board members from across the country representing our cause. RAVEN is the only organization in Canada doing this work. We are unique in the Canadian landscape, and we are having a direct impact on the litigation processes of these important cases. Our board members, staff and volunteers are passionate, dedicated and committed to social change. This is a lean, efficient and hard-working organization that will stretch itself to achieve our goals: realizing a vision of a country that embraces the values of the First Nations.

To date, RAVEN has enjoyed significant success mounting a formidable campaign that enabled the Tsilhqot'in First Nations to achieve success in defence of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), sacred homeland, against the repeated advances of a mining company. And RAVEN proudly assisted Beaver Lake Cree Nation with resources to fend off two concerted attempts to have their legal action to stop the expansion of the tar sands industries thrown out of court.