$US 28 Million Paid to B.C. First Nations by Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation

Since 2003, the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, based in San Francisco, has granted at least $28 million for First Nations on the north coast of British Columbia, tax returns and on-line records show.  

In addition to the $28 million, it is likely that a substantial portion of the total amount (> $90 million) that the Moore Foundation has granted to B.C. environmental organizations has gone to B.C. First Nations. 

Part of the  money granted by the Moore foundation was for legal action to enable the Haida to gain title over their traditional territories in what was formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, now called the Haida Gwaii. At least $650,000 ($400,000 and $250,000) was specifically for the Haida to pursue title of these islands. Moore also granted $175,000 for which the stated outcome is that government-to-government negotiations for Haida Gwaii Land Use Vision are completed, protecting a significant portion of CHN’s traditional territory.

The Moore Foundation states, "EAGLE (Environmental-Aboriginal Guardianship through Law and Education) is using this grant to develop the Haida Title Case, in which British Columbia's Haida Nation is seeking a court declaration of aboriginal title. If successful, this case will establish the aboriginal right to have management authority over half of land base within the archipelago known as Haida Gwaii (also Queen Charlotte Islands).

Of all the aboriginal people in the world - including aboriginal people in the United States, one has to wonder why the Moore foundation has chosen to finance the B.C. First Nations on the north coast of B.C. - which just happens to be right smack where oil tankers export bound for Asia would need to travel.

As shown below, the stated outcome of one of Moore's grants is "... a court declaration awarding Haida aboriginal title to Haida Gwaii and its surrounding waters." The Moore Foundation refers to this as "a groundbreaking test case related to aboriginal rights and title to the lands and water of Haida Gwaii."

"The legal framework for aboriginal rights and title in Canada has the potential to have a significant impact on land and natural resource conservation in affected regions," notes the Moore Foundation. No kidding.

Links to grants to support First Nations on B.C.'s north coast, for $22 million:

B.C. First Nations Fisheries Council

• $261,929 in 2012 for First Nations Engagement in Freshwater Stewardship
  

Earthlife Canada Foundation:

• $510,000 in 2003 for Haida Gwaii Habitat Protection
• $300,000 in 2006 for Haida Gwaii Land and Resource Management Plan

Ecotrust Canada:

• $500,000 in 2003 for Wild Salmon Conservation, Heiltsuk Nation Traditional Territory
• $550,000 in 2003 Haida Gwaii Protection
• $175,000 in 2006 for Haida Gwaii Conservation – Salmon Habitat Protection

Environmental-Aboriginal Guardianship Through Education & Law (EAGLE):

• $400,000 in 2003 for the Haida Gwaii Title Case

Hartley Bay Village Council

• $324,413 in 2012 for Implementing First Nations’ marine spatial plans

Kitasoo/Xaixais Band Council

• $266,184 in 2012 for Implementing First Nations’ marine spatial plans

Nanwakolas Council:

• $1,162,974 in 2010 for the Nanwakolas Council Marine Spatial Planning

Pew Charitable Trusts

• $710,000 in 2008 for British Columbia Mining Reform
• $1,300,000 in 2011 for BC Mining Reform 2

Round River Conservation Studies:

• $600,000 in 2003 for the Taku River Wildlife Conservation Project
• $1,450,000 in 2004 for the Taku River Conservation Project
• $2,375,000 in 2008 for the Taku Watershed Conservation Project

Tides Canada Foundation:

• $277,525 in 2004 for the Transboundary Watershed Alliance
• $469,227 in 2006 for Taku Watershed Conservation – Salmon Habitat Protection
• $500,000 in 2006 for Stikine Conservation Network
• $5,842,736 in 2006 for British Columbia Salmon Conservation - Great Bear Rainforest
• $250,000 in 2007 Test Case -- Legal Framework for Aboriginal Rights and Title
• $529,629 in 2007 for Great Bear Deal Implementation/ Coast Opportunities Funds Start-up
• $2,496,506 in 2011 for the Taku Tlatsini Conservation Fund

Turning Point Initiative Society:

• $3,562,658 in 2007 for First Nations Area-Based Management
• $247,727 in 2009 for First Nations Marine Spatial Planning Leadership
• $216,338 in 2010 for Integrating First Nations' Marine Spatial Plans
• $2,404,350 in 2010 for Integrating First Nations' Marine Spatial Plans
• $576,614 in 2011 for Communications and Training for Marine Spatial Planning (for the Great Bear Rainforest Initiative)
• $314,472 in 2012 for First Nations Coastal Stewardship.

Note: In June of 2012, the Moore Foundation also granted $600,313 to Tides Canada for "Protecting Ecological Flows in BC." That's a total of $914,785 from Moore to B.C. enviro groups in June of 2012.

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