First Nations, Scientists and Conservationists Call for Swift Action by Fisheries Minister to Scale Up Fish Protection
Vancouver, BC, Coast Salish Territories– In a brief released today, West Coast Environmental Law, supported by First Nations, scientists and conservation groups, is calling for Canada’s Fisheries Minister to act immediately on his mandate to “restore lost protections” for fish habitat gutted by the former Conservative government.
Read moreOpen Letter: Canada Must Immediately Withdraw Its Application for Judicial Review of Tribunal Decision in the Akisq'nuk First Nation’s Specific Claim
Dear Ministers Bennett and Wilson-Raybould,
We write to urge you to immediately withdraw Canada’s application for judicial review of the Specific Claims Tribunal’s (“Tribunal”) decision in the Akisq'nuk First Nation’s specific claim and to honour the Tribunal’s decision as final and binding.
Read moreCanadian Appeal for International Agencies to Investigate Assassination of Berta Cáceres
Berta Cáceres, our dear friend.
A beautiful strong, courageous and amazing woman leader.
In our way as a people of the Earth, Berta will carry on in her courageous work to protect her land, people and future generations.
Read moreCanada’s Application for Judicial Review of Independent Tribunal Ruling Succeeds in Denying Justice for Williams Lake Indian Band
(Coast Salish Territory / Vancouver BC – March 4, 2016). On February 29, 2016, the Federal Court of Appeal overturned the 2014 Specific Claims Tribunal ruling in favour of the Williams Lake Indian Band’s village site specific claim, and took the unusual step of rendering a new decision based on the facts of the claim.
Read moreFNLC Statement: Indigenous Peoples Must Be Partners in Canada’s Climate Change Discussions
“Indigenous peoples have known for thousands of years how to care for our planet. The rest of us have a lot to learn and no time to waste.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris, France, December 2015.
Read moreDavid Suzuki and Grand Chief Phillip Stand with Rocky Mountain Fort Camp in Opposition to Site C at BC Hydro Injunction Hearing
(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – February 22, 2016) The Stewards of the Land at the Rocky Mountain Fort Camp on the Peace River have been dragged into the Supreme Court of British Columbia for protecting their way of life.
Read moreSite C Dam construction must be halted until B.C.’s Auditor General completes much-needed independent review, wide array of groups say
VICTORIA –First Nations, labour, environmental and legal organizations are calling on the B.C. and federal governments to suspend construction of the Site C dam pending completion and full consideration of an independent review by B.C.’s Auditor General.
Read moreWill the New Liberal Government Honour Tribunal Decision in Akisq’nuk First Nation Specific Claim?
(Coast Salish Territory / Vancouver BC – February 11, 2016) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs congratulates the Akisq’nuk First Nation on the just resolution of its specific claim at the Specific Claims Tribunal. On February 5, 2016 the Tribunal ruled that Canada breached its legal obligation to the Akisq’nuk First Nation by failing to correct an 1887 land survey error and again in 1915 when it failed to protect additional grazing lands from alienation. Both historical events resulted in significant losses of reserve lands and according to the Tribunal Chair, Justice Harry Slade, expose a series of “missteps, an outright betrayal, and inaction” on the part of Canada during the reserve creation process in British Columbia.
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