This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we would like to introduce RAVEN’s new fund, which supports the legal orders, traditions, and priorities of Indigenous Nations as they move a case through the Canadian legal system.
What issue is this fund addressing?
Indigenous Nations encounter different types of barriers when pursuing justice. Through the Community Action Fund, RAVEN is supporting the legal orders, traditions, and priorities of Indigenous Nations as they move a case through the Canadian legal system.
What sort of activities does this cover?
Funds disbursed from the Community Action Fund will cover expenses outside their litigation, such as (but not limited to): travel for elders to attend court to provide support; food and medicines for feasts and ceremonies to prepare for a case; and language translation to enable community members to understand what is being argued in hearings.
This way, we can support access to justice in a way that is based on cultural protocols and legal orders, not just the Canadian legal system.
** This fund does not cover the cost of legal fees or direct costs of lawyers or expert reports.
Who can apply?
Indigenous Nations or Indigenous organizations (Individuals cannot apply) that are pursuing a legal case related to environmental justice or land and title rights. Applications from Nations or Indigenous organizations we are not currently partnered with are welcome!
How has this fund already helped?
In January 2025, Gitxaała Nation was able to utilize this fund to pay for community members to travel to Vancouver and witness their appeal hearing. The act of bearing witness is a vital part of Gitxaała’s cultural and legal traditions. Gitxaała oral history (or lineage histories or “true tellings”) is called adaawx. Thanks to the Community Action Fund, Gitxaała was able to uphold this part of their legal traditions.
Because of support from the RAVEN community, we have been able to launch this new fund that helps us re-centre Indigenous legal orders, even within the colonial legal system. Thank you to everyone who supports this work!
Find out more about RAVEN’s Community Action Fund and see if your Nation or organization may be eligible to apply at raventrust.com/apply-for-support/community-action-fund