Justice for the Peace Caravan launches today!

This morning, Indigenous Peoples of the Peace River are setting off on a monumental journey against the Site C dam.
 

A group of elders, youth, Treaty 8 members and allies will travel 4,432km from Fort St. John — on the banks of the Peace River  in BC  —to Montreal. They are making the journey to make sure the voices of the Peace River Valley are heard in the Federal Court of Appeal.
 

The West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations are appealing a federal judge’s decision to approve the construction of Site-C despite the project’s violation of their constitutionally-protected Treaty and Aboriginal rights.
 

After months of waiting for a trial date, the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations are finally appearing in federal court on September 12th. With almost $300k raised to date, they are on their way knowing they have the strength of RAVEN allies & supporters like you behind them. 

The cross-country caravan will stop in communities along the way, sharing stories, connecting struggles, and building support for the just resolution of the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations’ case against the Site-C dam. These two communities have been fighting this project for nearly five decades.

If you live on the caravan route, come out and attend one of the solidarity events to show support for Treaty 8 First Nations. Encourage your friends and family to join too! Support the legal challenge, and follow the progress of the caravan, at nosite-c.com

Here’s the caravan itinerary and a list of public solidarity events. If you can't attend, hear the powerful voices of frontline community members from the Peace River and follow their progress:  https://www.facebook.com/justiceforthepeacecaravan/

Peace River: September 5th, 9-10 am Treaty 8 Justice for the Peace Caravan Launch Event at Boon Residence, Bear Flat, Peace River Valley
 

Edmonton: September 6th, 8-10 am Ceremony & speakers outside the Alberta Legislature Building

Saskatoon: September 6th, 6 - 8:45 pm, Riversdale Park (Outside Amphitheatre)

Winnipeg: September 7/8th, To be announced here

Thunder Bay: September 9th, To be announced here

Sault Ste. Marie: September 10th, To be announced here

Vancouver: September 10th, To be announced here*

Montreal: September 12 - 8:30 - 9:30 am, outside the Federal Court of Appeals building

Ottawa: September 13th,10:30-11:30 am Rally on Parliament Hill; 1-2:30 pm Public Panel at University of Ottawa + Live Webcast; 5-7 pm Community Feast, St. Paul's Eastern United Church

Here are some other ways to show your support:

Be there in spirit (and social media): “Like” and follow Treaty 8 Justice for the Peace Caravan on Facebook. Also bookmark this page -- the online hub where pictures, videos, and stories will be shared throughout the caravan’s journey, so you can share them through your channels. We’ll be sharing them on our Facebook and Twitter too. Use the hashtags: #T8peacecaravan and #keepthepromise on your posts.

Donate to the legal challenge: Thanks to the hundreds of you who already donated, the legal fundraising is at $289,000! Your donations mean First Nations can stand in court with the outstanding legal representation they deserve. We’ve almost hit our goal. 

The Site C case may be about a single dam, but the real story is much more profound -- and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The battle against the Site C dam is a story about reconciliation. About commitments made by Canada to have a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations -- a respectful relationship that honours Treaties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

While we aren’t the judges who will be ruling on Site C, we can help make a difference on this case by showing our support for Treaty 8 First Nations.

Thank you for all that you do. 


Susan Smitten
Executive Director, RAVEN Trust

P.S. *Vancouver is not on the caravan route, but solidarity events are being planned throughout the day. Make sure to check back here for details.

Please share these social media graphics, and "Like" the Caravan facebook page.