Surfrider Foundation Canada’s South Vancouver Island chapter is thrilled to host their World Ocean Day beach cleanup in partnership with RAVEN Trust! This year, in addition to cleaning the coastline, we will also be raising funds to support RAVEN’s campaign for Heiltsuk First Nation.

Cleanup supplies (buckets, gloves, and pickers) are available on a first come, first served basis. If you have your own gear, please bring it! We clean rain or shine, so please dress for the weather.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided!

About the 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. The Heiltsuk had warned the federal government about the risk of oil transport through the stormy passages of the Central Coast. Heiltsuk was one of the Nations that won a landmark case stopping Enbridge Northern Gateway in 2016. Tragically, they are now left dealing with long-term and catastrophic damage to the health of their land, waters, and culture.