site created by noosworx.com
Licence Links
Submit
Licence Links
Submit
Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) Newswire
Licence Links
Submit
Posts tagged Chief Percy Guichon
Hearings get underway for another controversial B.C. project: Prosperity mine
Winnipeg Free Press - January 29, 2012
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. - With all eyes on hearings for the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline that would link Alberta’s oil sands to tankers on the B.C. coast, a federal environmental review of another contentious B.C. project is quietly getting underway.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has released guidelines and terms of reference that will form the framework for an environmental review of Taseko Mines Ltd.’s (TSX:TKO) proposed Prosperity gold and copper mine in the B.C. Interior.
The agency is seeking comments on the documents until Feb. 22.
But the approach of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government toward the federal hearings on the Northern Gateway doesn’t give First Nations opponents much faith in the environmental review of the mine.
“We feel the writing’s on the wall,” Chief Joe Alphonse, leader of the Tsilqhot’in National Government, said in an interview.
“Mr. Harper is making statements around the Enbridge project that anyone opposing the project is an enemy of Canada. That’s the same situation.”
Alphonse said he fears that approval of the Prosperity Mine, 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake, B.C., is a foregone conclusion.
The Tsilqhot’in will still take part in the review, however, “as distasteful as that might be,” Alphonse said.
“Our position is that we have to participate to protect our interests… we still have to go through the motions because, at the end of the day, when that political process fails us, we still have to turn to the courts for justice and the moment we walk into a courtroom they’re going to tell us: you had to participate.”
Taseko’s original proposal for the $1.5-billion project was accepted by the province but rejected by a federal environmental panel last year because the company wanted to drain Fish Lake for use as a tailings pond.
The revised proposal would see the company spend $300 million to build its own tailings pond, rather than use the trout-bearing lake, known to local First Nations as Tetzan Biny.
In December, the Tsilqhot’in First Nation was granted a court injunction to stop Taseko from undertaking exploratory work on the mine pending the review.
Although the Tsilqhot’in will participate in the review, the band did not apply for money from a federal fund for aboriginal groups to participate, nor did most other First Nations groups in the area.
The federal agency announced last week that nine groups will split nearly $138,000 in federal funding to participate in the review.
But while more than $200,000 was available to aboriginal groups to allow them to participate, only one group made an application. The Esketemc First Nation asked for and received $27,800.
The Metis Nation of British Columbia, whose application was transferred from a general funding program, will also receive $19,000.
Seven other interest groups will receive a total of $91,000 from the separate, general participant funding program, including Friends of Nemaiah Valley, which will receive $19,000, and the Sierra Club of British Columbia, which will receive $18,600.
MiningWatch Canada, the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, Share the Cariboo-Chilcotin Resources Society, and the Environmental Mining Education Foundation will also receive funds, as well as an individual named Federico G. Osorio.
Brian Battison, vice-president of corporate affairs for Taseko, said the company is looking at the guidelines and preparing its response, which is “a tremendous amount of work.”
Battison said much of the original mine proposal was accepted by the first review panel, and those aspects will not have to be reviewed again. What has changed are the two aspects around the use of Fish Lake as a tailings pond.
“It’s a significant difference. It’s a $300-million difference in terms of cost, to save the lake.”
Battison said the project has community support in the Cariboo region, where it will have a significant economic impact.
Agency spokesperson Lucille Jamault said members of the public have until Feb. 22 to submit written comments on the draft guidelines and the terms of reference, then the next step will be for the federal environment minister to name the panel, which was given a year to complete the review when it was announced last November.
A band election in Tsi Del Del, in Alexis Creek, earlier this month served as a referendum of sorts on the issue. Chief Percy Guichon, a vocal critic of the mine development, soundly defeated a challenger who was in favour of the mine in a campaign dominated by the issue.
Taseko says Prosperity - the largest undeveloped gold-copper deposit in Canada and seventh largest in the world - will generate 71,000 jobs over the course of its operation and put $10 billion in government coffers.
TNG wins injunction against Taseko
Williams Lake Tribune - December 2, 2011
The Tsilhqot’in National Government is celebrating after a B.C. Supreme Court decision ruled in its favour.
“Justice Christopher Grauer issued an injunction against Taseko Mines Ltd. preventing it from carrying out any further exploratory work for the new Prosperity Mine and has denied the injunction by Taseko against the Tsilhqot’in,” said Chief Percy Guichon, following Justice Grauer’s ruling today (Friday).
Guichon said the B.C. government will now have to sit down with the Tsilhqot’in and work out a better consultation process regarding any exploration activities Taseko will undertake.
“We’ll be a part of the process, whether it’s the minimum requirement of the work that will have to be done through the environmental assessment process. We’ll be fully involved.”
A TNG press release says the injunction granted prohibits Taseko from performing exploration work in the area. A judicial review will commence scrutinizing the work permits granted to the company by the province.
A written statement from Justice Grauer is expected to be issued some time next week.
More to come.
Former chief’s opinion doesn’t reflect nation’s
Williams Lake Tribune - November 22, 2011
Editor:
Clarification of Tsi Del Del community position on the Prosperity mine:
As chief of Tsi Del Del, I am writing to clarify the community’s position with regards to Taseko Mines Ltd.
Former Tsi Del Del Chief Ervin Charleyboy led our nation for many years. However, the comments he made in the recent article, “Former TNG Chief supports Taseko discussion,” does not reflect the position of the Tsilhqot’in Nation or the community of Tsi Del Del (Alexis Creek First Nation).
In a Tsi Del Del community meeting on Nov. 16, we had an open discussion about the new proposal with elders, community members, chief and council, and youth. The result of the meeting was an overwhelming support for our chief and council, the Tsilhqot’in chiefs, with the nation against this mine.
Taseko Mines Ltd.’s own statements indicate that “alternative two,” now resubmitted as the “new” Prosperity mine, would not save Teztan Biny.
The proximity of the lake to the open pit and the toxic discharge from the massive tailings pond into our sacred lake would ensure a slow death.
The company’s own VP said: “the lake and the deposit sit side by side. It is not possible to have one without the loss of the other.”
And the VP of engineering said: “over time the water quality in Fish Lake will become equivalent to the water quality in the pore water of the tailings facility.”
This is the wrong project, wrong place and poses an unacceptable threat to the environment.
We’d rather develop positive economic opportunities that do not endanger our fish stocks, wildlife, culture and way of life.
We also have aboriginal rights and title to this sacred Tsilhqot’in territory and we will not allow these to be infringed upon.
Chief Percy Guichon
Tsi Del Del
First Nations Rejoice in Federal Rejection of Taseko Mines’ Proposed Prosperity Mine
WILLIAMS LAKE, BC, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - The Tsilhqot’in National Government and its community members are rejoicing in today’s decision by Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice against issuing permits for the proposed Prosperity mine in central BC. This ruling will serve as a catalyst for reform and a new relationship between governments, the mining industry and First Nations.
“The federal government has honoured its Constitutional duty to protect First Nations rights and its responsibility to protect the environment. The government should be commended for recognizing that this project did not represent the best way to create jobs and economic growth,” said TNG Tribal Chief Joe Alphonse.
“The Tsilhqot’in Nation understands the need for jobs in the region and believes it can work with municipalities and others to build on the environmentally friendly economic activities that are sustained by Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and its environs and already contribute so much to the area.”
Xeni Gwet’in Chief Baptiste said: “Perhaps there are other projects that can be considered. As we have always stated, we are not against resource development of any kind, just extraction at any price that leads to the destruction of our ecosystem for our future generations,” “However, we hope today’s decision will demonstrate the need to find a way forward for industry and governments to work with First Nations from the outset to identify and develop projects that are environmentally and culturally acceptable and sustainable.”
The fact that a company would spend so many years and so much money to develop and promote this Prosperity project, despite the clear and legitimate First Nations along with DFO’s objections, demonstrates the need to reform BC’s free-entry, on-line staking system,” said Chief Baptiste. “This proposal could not have been more guaranteed to alienate First Nations.”
Chief Percy Guichon said, “it in no one’s interest to continue with a system that encourages the development of proposals that should never be pursued, instead of focussing on projects that have reasonable prospects. Companies waste exploration and development dollars, government waste tax dollars and First Nations are forced to use up scarce financial resources to defend against bad or unfair proposals.”
“One of the main reasons there has been no major new metals mine open in BC since the mid 1990s can in large part be attributed to a system that allows anyone with a computer and a few dollars to access anywhere it wants on First Nations unceded lands and develop whatever proposal they want - no matter how environmentally unviable, and not matter how unacceptable to our people,” said Chief Joe Alphonse.
Chief Joe Alphonse added: “Another reason is a provincial environmental review system that does not allow our people to fully participate and does not address the issues that we as first nations need to address. However, there are examples of companies working with other First Nations to address these concerns and to develop projects and agreements that can stand the test of time.”
“Those agreements are positive examples that can be built upon. The federal government decision today will inspire efforts to reform the system in BC to the benefit of all.”
For further information:
Media inquiries:
Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair, TNG: 250.305.8282 (c) or 250.394.4212 (w)
Chief Marilyn Baptiste: 250.267.1401 (c) or 250.394.7023 ext. 202 (w)
November 2, 2010
FIRST NATIONS UNITED IN DEMANDING PROSPERITY MINE PROPOSAL BE REJECTED
OTTAWA, Sept. 2 /CNW/ - National, regional and local BC First Nations Chiefs today delivered a clear and unequivocal message to the federal government at the Ottawa National Press: The proposed Prosperity mine in BC cannot be allowed to proceed.
If the federal government - whose decision could be announced as early as Sept. 10 - abandons its duty to reject this project, First Nations across BC and Canada will unite to defend against the project proceeding.
Tsilhqot’in National Government chiefs, whose members’ traditional lands would be impacted and whose sacred waters at Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) would be turned into a toxic tailing pond by the proposed mine, were today joined by the BC Assembly of First Nations’ Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould, Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and BC First Nations Summit Grand Chief Ed John at a news conference in Ottawa.
“There are no options open to the federal Government - it must respect the findings of significant and irreparable harm to the environment and First Nations rights and culture that were delivered in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s review Panel Report 2010,” said Chief Marilyn Baptiste, of Xeni Gwet’in.
“The CEAA report leaves the government legally, constitutionally and morally bound to reject this proposal,” said Chief Ivor D. Myers, of the Yunesit’in Government. “Every community member expressed their opposition to the mine in the panel hearings and we as Chiefs have an inherent sacred duty to protect the lands that we survive off of and our sacred burial grounds that would be desecrated.”
Chief Percy Guichon, of Tsi Deldel (Alexis Creek First Nation) said: “The TNG, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the BC First Nations Summit, the BC First Nations Leadership Council, the national assembly of first nations, the BC AFN and other First Nations groups, bands and concerned Canadians have all made their united opposition to this mine crystal clear since before the CEAA panel delivered its report.”
The Chiefs were in Ottawa today to deliver the message publicly after having had requests for a meeting with Environment Minister Jim Prentice ignored for nearly two months. Letters to other minister and all members of the BC federal Conservative caucus have also gone unanswered.
The post- CEAA consultation period ends today (Sept. 2). Under the terms of reference for the CEAA panel review, the government agreed to deliver a decision 70 days after the report was public on July 2, which would make Sept. 10 the decision deadline.
The TNG wrote to Minister Prentice in early June to raise a number of issues, including its desire for assurances that the government had not predetermined the mine would go ahead regardless of the CEAA panel review findings.
Taseko Mines Ltd., the proponent company, has been assuring investors that the mine will proceed and that approval will be granted rapidly. This has raised concerns that the company seems to have no question that its mine will be approved.
“We are disappointed that Minister Prentice has not responded to our request, and that other ministers and members of the BC federal caucus have also failed to respond to letters that we have sent to them,” said Chief Baptiste.
“This certainly has done nothing to address the perception that the federal Government may all along have intended to approve regardless of the findings by the CEAA review panel.”
The CEAA panel report found that the creation of the mine and the resulting killing of the pristine, beautiful and sacred Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) would irreversibly impose serious harm on the environment, fish and wildlife and on First Nations rights, lives, culture and spirituality. It found that the proposal does not meet standards required under federal fisheries and navigable waters rules. The panel also stated it did not believe any proposed mitigation measure would address this harm.
“We can only hope the federal government was not so rash as to issue any illicit advance assurances to the company or the provincial government that this mine would be given the green light, because the findings mean there is now a clear duty on Ottawa to honour both its constitutional duty to protect the rights of First Nations and its responsibility under Canada’s environmental assessment laws and reject this mine,” said Chief Baptiste.
Grand Chief Ed John of the BC First Nations Summit said: “The federal government must respect the findings of its own review panel and reject the proposed Prosperity Mine project. Any federal approval for this project would only confirm First Nations’ concerns about the legitimacy of the environmental assessment process. It would also clearly demonstrate that this government does not have any regard for First Nations title, rights, and culture, despite their recent apology for similar behaviour through the residential school system. This clearly demonstrates the need for the Government of Canada to fully and meaningfully adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which sets out clear standards for upholding the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous peoples.”
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said: “No one should underestimate the expectations of First Nations that the government act honourably and reject this mine, or their resolve to defend these lands and waters in the face of unjust decisions.
“Approving this mine would serve as a catalyst that would trigger a volatile and protracted confrontation and would set back the good work that is occurring between other First Nations and forward-thinking companies to develop meaningful partnerships - in the absence of resolved title and rights in BC - to look for responsible and sustainable projects,” said Grand Chief Phillip. “It would also undermine any effort to build better relationships with First Nations across Canada.”
To view a video of our lake, visit: http://www.raventrust.com/projects/fishlaketeztanbiny/video-bluegold.html
For further information: Media Inquiries: Marilyn Baptiste, Chief Xeni Gwet’in : (613) 851-2151 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (613) 851-2151 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or (250) 267-1401 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (250) 267-1401
For Immediate Release
Chiefs warn BC Minister of Mines that no amount of money can compensate for devastating environmental and cultural impacts of the proposed Prosperity mine
July 30, 2010, Williams Lake – The Chiefs of the Tsilhqot’in Nation caution BC Minister of Mines Bill Bennett that no amount of money can compensate for the devastating impacts the proposed Prosperity mine would have on Tsilhqot’in traditional lands and culture.
This comes in response to Minister Bennett’s recently announced plan to make a “public offer” of revenue sharing to First Nations that would be impacted by the controversial Prosperity project – a proposed copper and gold mine that requires the permanent destruction of a lake considered sacred by the Tsilhqot’in people.
“Our culture cannot be bought,” said Chief Marilyn Baptiste. “The Minister still does not understand what is at stake for our people – we are fighting for our cultural survival. Our elders and our members say that the destruction of this area would be like tearing the heart out of our culture. It would be a poison that cannot be cured.”
In a strongly worded environmental assessment report issued earlier this month, an independent federal panel concluded that the project proposed by Taseko Mines Ltd. would have significant, high magnitude impacts on: productive fisheries, threatened grizzly bear populations, Tsilhqot’in traditional use and cultural heritage, and the Aboriginal rights of the Tsilhqot’in people. The panel cautioned that the mine would permanently destroy an “important cultural and spiritual area” for the Tsilhqot’in people and that impacts on “current use activities, ceremonies, teaching, and cultural and spiritual practices would be irreversible, of high magnitude and have a long-term effect on the Tsilhqot’in.”
The panel specifically noted that “First Nations frequently stated that financial benefits could not compensate for the destruction”.
“Our people have spoken and we have a duty to uphold,” said Chief Ivor Myers. “Our members came out 100 per cent united against this mine at the public hearings, despite all the talk of revenue sharing. If the Federal Government chose to approve the mine it would desecrate our sacred burial and ceremonial sites – as a Nation we simply cannot allow that to happen.”
“Our members want jobs like everyone else,” said Chief Percy Guichon. “We partner with industry, we support development and we’ve entered agreements with government. We are working to raise our quality of life. But we cannot create healthy communities by destroying the lands that sustain us. We will not create economic development at the loss of a sacred lake or at the cost of who we are as Tsilhqot’in people.”
Chief Frances Laceese noted that the Minister’s planned “public offer” to First Nations is typical of the disrespect the Tsilhqot’in people have seen from the provincial government and Taseko. “This isn’t a good faith effort to hear the outcry from our communities or to deal with our concerns. It’s a publicity stunt. They want to keep the public distracted from the true costs of this mine – environmental and cultural destruction on a scale beyond anything a federal panel has described in the past”.
Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, dismissed the Minister’s plan to make a public offer to First Nations as “a desperate move by a desperate government trying to salvage a desperate mining company.”
“The Minister could not show any less concern for the environment or First Nations,” Chief Alphonse continued. “These are the most serious warnings of environmental and cultural damage ever issued by a federal panel, and the Minister completely ignores them. It’s full speed ahead. All he can talk about is the almighty dollar. If Taseko and the Minister still think they can ram this project through, they’re stuck in the dark ages. First Nations are lining up across the country to stand with us in defence of our lands and culture.”
Commitments of support for the Tsilhqot’in Nation have been issued from several First Nations in BC and Canada, and organizations like the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC First Nations Summit. Last week, the Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations passed a national resolution pledging their support for the Tsilhqot’in Nation and warning the federal government that approval for the project in light of the panel’s conclusions “would demonstrate utter disregard for the survival of First Nations as distinctive cultures within Canada.”
Media inquiries: Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair, TNG – 250.394.4212 (w); 250.394.4422 (h).
