Clover Point

In celebration of Ocean Week, we’re partnering with RAVEN Trust to fundraise and bring awareness to their Step Up for Coast Heroes campaign.

In October, 2016 a tug without a certified pilot ran aground and spilled over 110,000 liters of diesel oil in Heiltsuk waters on the central coast of British Columbia. The tug and attached barge were carrying diesel through Heiltsuk waters despite Heiltsuk prohibition of oil transport through their marine harvesting areas. Through inadequate government and corporate response, and despite Heiltsuk responders’ heroic efforts to mitigate the damage, the spill contaminated key shellfish harvesting areas and critical habitat for the Northern abalone. The Heiltsuk suffered a violent disruption to their way of life, their economy, their history and identity, and their spiritual connection to the land. Heiltsuk Nation is taking Kirby Corporation (an oil shipping company), Canada, and British Columbia to court in response to the spill.

Now, nearly ten years later, the Nation still cannot use the critical marine harvesting sites damaged from the spill. The Nation and Heiltsuk community themselves have taken on the responsibility to be better prepared for inevitable spills in their coastal waters. With their landmark legal challenge, Heiltsuk Nation aims to toughen oil spill regulations from coast to coast to coast across Canada and set a precedent for Aboriginal title to the foreshore and seabed. If successful, this legal challenge would strengthen Heiltsuk jurisdiction in the courts so they can manage their territory according to Heiltsuk laws.

An added bonus, your solidarity can give you a chance to win two tickets to Victoria Folk Fest on July 4th. Learn more and be entered to win here.

This cleanup will be powered by amazing coffee provided by Habit Coffee!

To join, sign the waiver here.