LandKeepers News Archive
Lake Babine Nation withdraws from dialogue with Pacific Booker Minerals with respect to the Morrison
October 14 2008 | Media Releases
Lake Babine Nation withdraws from dialogue with Pacific Booker Minerals with respect to the Morrison Copper Gold Project
BURNS LAKE, BC, Oct. 14 /CNW/ –
Lake Babine Nation (“LBN”) announced today it is withdrawing from dialogue with Pacific Booker Minerals (“PBM”) regarding the Morrison Copper Gold Project (“Project”) due to serious concerns regarding PBM’s conduct and the government’s handling of the consultation process.
“Our relationship with PBM is seriously deteriorating”, stated Chief Betty Patrick, “and if things don’t change immediately, we will have no other option but to oppose this development. PBM continues to offer us capacity funding but we haven’t seen a dime. Second, they question our members about our confidential traditional uses without asking permission. Third, they have repeatedly told us they prefer we not involve legal counsel. Gone are the days when First Nations are not entitled to legal representation and we are not going to let them dictate to us who is on our team. These are examples of their self serving intention to move the Project forward without demonstrating a real commitment to relationship building. Their actions to date are disrespectful and do not encourage us to trust them.”
LBN is still open to meeting with PBM if there is a level playing field and capacity funding. LBN has consistently maintained they are not categorically opposed to development in their traditional territory as long as it is conducted responsibly and appropriately includes them. LBN has concerns that the environmental assessment process is going
forward without articulating or addressing its concerns. Although LBN has written to the Environmental Assessment Office several times it has failed to respond. In LBN’s view, any Project permits that are granted that do not consider its concerns, will be incorrect, reviewable and subject to being overturned.
“We are not going anywhere”, stated Chief Patrick, “Development must respect our aboriginal rights and title and engage with us on a level playing field if the Project is to move forward. Providing capacity funding is the first step”.
Lake Babine Nation, located northwest of Prince George, is one of the largest First Nation communities in British Columbia with a population of over 2000 members and is comprised of the Woyenne, Tacket Wi’tat communities, Old Fort and Donald’s Landing.
For further information: about the Lake Babine Nation and this Project, please contact Chief Betty Patrick at (250) 692-4700.
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