Fighting for Lakes, Water & Rights Panel: presentation on defending Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)
Date: Thursday, May 27
Location: Vancouver, BC
Venue: The Martime Labour Centre- 1880 Triumph Ave
Description:
By donation, sliding scale from $5 to $20, no one turned away.
The panel:
- Chief Marilyn Baptiste, of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, on the struggle to defend Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and the rights of Tsilhqot’in Nation and communities.
- Rex Weyler, cofounder of Greenpeace International and editor of the Greenpeace Chronicles, on challenging the fundamentalist logic of economic growth and consumerism.
- Maude Barlow, the National Chair of the Council of Canadians, on the fight to defend lakes across the country, the broader struggle for water justice around the world and the impact of new trade proposals on the rights of communities.
Vancouver-based Taseko Mines Ltd is proposing to drain Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) in order to stockpile ROCK waste and use Fish Creek and Little Fish Lake as tailings impoundment areas for a gold-copper mining project called Prosperity Mine. Teztan Biny is home to an estimated 85,000 rainbow trout. The Tsilhqot’in have lived in the area for thousands of years. They oppose the environmental destruction being proposed by Taseko Mines and were not consulted by the Province of British Columbia when it approved the project.
The Tsilhqot’in Nation filed a writ in B.C. Supreme Court claiming an Aboriginal right to fish in the area that they have never ceded to the Province. The claim, if successful, will prevent Taseko Mines Ltd. from developing its proposed Prosperity Project, 125 km southwest of Williams Lake. Additionally, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s federal review panel that has traveled to communities throughout the territories was given a clear message that the Tsilhqot’in and their supporters in Williams Lake are saying no to the project. However, given that the voices of communities are often ignored in favor of business interests of the applicant we need your support to save Teztan Biny. The decision from the panel is expected before July 2nd.
Trade agreements and government policies continue to promote the rights of corporations over the rights of people and communites. The logic of allowing “economic growth” to cause ecological destruction needs to be challenged and the destruction of pristine fresh water lakes is simply another reason why. Water is a common resource. The rights of communities to protect water that they depend upon for their very basic needs and cultural traditions must be prioritized over the profits of a mining company.
Join us on May 27th and join the fight for lakes, water and community rights!
Contact:
This event is being organized by the Surrey-White Rock, Vancouver-Burnaby and Delta-Richmond Chapters of the Council of Canadians.
For more information please call 604 688 8846 / email or