WHITE RAVEN LAW CORPORATION
White Raven Law offers Indigenous communities an innovative approach to handling legal challenges with integrity and compassion.
We represent Indigenous Nations regarding matters relating to Aboriginal rights and title, administrative, environmental and forestry law. White Raven Law is committed to the resurgence of Indigenous legal orders. Indigenous ethics and perspectives permeate all aspects of our work.
White Raven brings a uniquely Indigenous perspective to providing legal advice and representing Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Blending traditional knowledge with modern technologies, we seek solutions with integrity in ways that save time while producing positive results. In all we do, we strive to be as innovative as the White Raven.
In carrying out our mission, we are committed to the principle of supporting the development of Indigenous communities as self-sustaining and governing nations.
INNOVATION. INTEGRITY. TRUTH. COLLABORATION. RESULTS.
Origin of White Raven
Our logo draws upon an oral tradition from the Haida in which Raven brings light to the world. Raven is a cultural hero who brings about the earth as we know it through a series of events, tricks and accidents that have come to be called "Raven travelling" stories.
This legend tells of the time a long, long, time ago, when human beings first occupied the earth and it was dark, completely without light. At this time, Raven was white. All of the supernatural beings asked Raven to obtain the light for the earth, which a Chief kept in a fine, old growth cedar bentwood box. Raven transformed into a grandchild born into the Chief's family. Raven quickly grew as a child and eventually cajoled the light from Raven’s grandfather.
When Raven secured the light, Raven took it and flew through the smoke hole in the longhouse, and in doing so became black. We chose the White Raven logo because it represents Raven in the purest form, sacrificing to bring light to the world for the betterment of all of humanity.
Indigenous Law - Weaving Together Our Future: The Interaction of Haida Laws to Achieve Respectful Co-Existence
“ Arguably the most important cultural issue for Indigenous Peoples is a legal and political one: the urgency of permanently confirming full legal title and ownership of traditional lands, as these lands are the wellsprings of Indigenous life and vision; of art and life.”
Home on Native Land - Canada: Whose Land Is It Anyway?
A self-guided, lighthearted but super-serious course on Indigenous justice in Canada.
Through a series of 10 videos, cartoons & lessons, you'll take a walk down the back alley of history — and the frontlines of legal action — with Anishinaabe comedian Ryan McMahon.
Haida Law and SGaanaGwaay (Power)
Presented by Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay Lalaxaaygans (Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson) at the Haida Gwaii Renewable Energy Symposium, March 11, 2023.
"Raven Transformation Mask" by Robert Davidson, CM, OBC. 2009.
The images above show the mask in open and closed positions. Photos by Kenji Nagai.
Areas of Practice
White Raven Law's primary focus on indigenous issues has led us to develop particular expertise in practice areas that protect and promote the development of strong, confident and prosperous Indigenous communities, today and in the future.
Protecting Land and Title Rights
Aboriginal Rights and Title Litigation
Environmental Law
Cultural Heritage Law
White Raven is honoured to practice law on the unceded territory of the Semiahmoo First Nation, and to share offices with Eagle of the Dawn Artist Ltd.
White Raven Law's practice of law is inextricably bound with our commitment to protecting the environment upon which Indigenous cultures and our collective futures depend.