Press Release
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For Immediate Release June, 12, 2007
VANCOUVER ‑ Environmental-Aboriginal Guardianship through Law and Education (EAGLE), announced today that it has partnered with Tides Canada Foundation and set up a fund to assist Aboriginal communities to protect the environment.
Vancouver-based EAGLE is the only national non-profit organization in North America that focuses exclusively on using both Aboriginal and environmental law to assist Aboriginal Peoples in protecting the environment for the benefit of all Canadians.
Tides Canada is Canada’s first and only national public foundation focused on growing and organizing resources for environmental sustainability and progressive social change.
EAGLE Chair, Chief
“Never before has there been so much attention globally on the protection and restoration of land and resources,” says Chief Jacob. “In Canada, an important part of this debate is the development of an inclusive process that ensures sustainable development within the context of Aboriginal Rights and Title.
“Our collective future in this country can only be assured when Aboriginal Peoples’ long-established principles of protecting and preserving the lands, waters and resources are integrated within existing environment and resource management practices,” he says.
EAGLE Executive Director,
“Our ability to assist Aboriginal communities is limited by our resources. We currently have far more requests for support than we can cope with, so it’s important to broaden our fundraising capabilities, which is what Tides Canada will help us do through the new EAGLE Future Generations Fund,” she says.
Tides Canada Executive Director, Tim Draimon, says EAGLE is an excellent fit for Tides Canada.
“We are seeing a continued growth in donor support for non-profits focused on environmental sustainability and who seek solutions to issues at the grassroots and community level, which is essentially EAGLE’s mission. But the vast array of charities makes it hard for donors to identify which ones most fit their objectives. Tides Canada helps donors shape giving their strategies and connects them with effective and innovative charities like EAGLE,” he added.
EAGLE’s work includes educational programs for Aboriginal communities and legal support to assert their rights and protect Canadian land, air and waters from unsustainable development that could harm the environment.
Ms. Kolybabi says in many cases Aboriginal communities faced with the prospect of development on their land are unaware of their legal rights or do not have the organizational capacity to challenge developers.
“EAGLE has legal and educational experts on staff with access to legal consultants who can advise communities and act on their behalf if necessary. Protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development is in the interests of all Canadians no matter where the land is located,” she says.
For more information on EAGLE visit www.eaglelaw.org
For more information on Tides Canada visit www.tidescanada.org
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For more information please contact:
Executive Director
EAGLE
604-536-6261