LandKeepers News Archive
Xeni Gwet’in Betrayed by BC and Taseko Mines in Prosperity Negotiations
October 09 2008 | Media Releases | Xeni Gwet’in First Nations
In a recent decision by the BC Environmental Assessment Office to move the proposed Prosperity mine project to a provincially-run environmental assessment, the Xeni Gwet’in have been double crossed in their talks with both Canada and BC to get the project assessed through an independent joint review panel.
The Xeni Gwet’in, who have proven Aboriginal Title and Aboriginal Rights in the area, are opposed to the destruction of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), used by our people since time immemorial to sustain our spiritual and cultural practices. Elder Julianna Lulua “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to destroy a lake and poison the waters downriver. The BC government is not respecting the Tsilhqot’in.” Chief Marilyn Baptiste states “Our Elders and ancestors have passed the responsibility to protect our lands and way of life on to us. It is not possible for us to agree to the destruction of the land that sustains us.”
Taseko’s proposed Fish Lake project has been moving toward a joint independent panel review for over a year. Seeing that such an independent environmental assessment process offered the possibility of comprehensive, independent review, the Xeni Gwet’in have been negotiating in good faith with the BC and Canadian governments to design the panel review process in a way that would accommodate the interests of the Xeni Gwet’in in the assessment. This came to a halt in May when Taseko, noting that it could not put its $1 billion project into the hands of an independent panel, wrote to BC stating that it would not participate in the joint review panel process, and demanded an alternative process. Within three days the BC government threw away the year and a half of negotiations, without any consultation with the TNG or its federal partner, and told Taseko it could have its project reviewed by the BC environmental assessment process. Former Chief Annie C Williams states “this is a betrayal of our trust like what happened to our Chilcotin warriors in 1864. They were protecting our land from destruction, and went into peace talks in good faith, but were tricked and hung.”
Former Chief Roger William “The BC EA process is biased and politically influenced. We have no confidence in this process. Taseko opted for the BC environmental assessment process because it knows it will deliver a project approval, since the BC process has never rejected a proposed project. In addition to a full, comprehensive review, we expect deeper and more meaningful consultation and accommodation in accordance with the Canadian Constitution and our proven Title and Rights.”
Our neighboring First Nations and non-First Nations are uniting with the Tsilhqot’in to ensure the protection of Teztan. Chief Marilyn Baptiste “We stand in solidarity with all Nations and communities across Canada who oppose the destruction of lakes, rivers and watersheds by the mining industry and governments of Canada. Together we will stop this senseless destruction of our precious clean water.”
For inquiries please contact Loretta Williams 250 302-1514
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