Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) Newswire

March 21, 2012

Dear RAVEN friends and supporters,

The ongoing effort to preserve Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) continues in many ways - and there have been a few developments to share. One of the latest efforts is to spread word of this issue to a new, international audience.  Water is everyone’s right. And the destruction of a pristine ecosystem and watershed plus the trampling of indigenous rights deserve world-wide attention.

TAKING TEZTAN BINY TO THE WORLD:
Xeni Gwet’in Chief Marilyn Baptiste recently returned from Geneva where she presented the Tsilhqot’in report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN-CERD) 80th Session. The Tsilhqot’in report focused on the fight to protect Teztan Biny and the surrounding environment and the underlying legal situation which ignores First Nations rights and title.

“The Tsilhqot’in are prepared to go to the international level to protect our Nation’s rights and title,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government. “In the case of the rebid Prosperity Mine proposal, we feel that we’ve nearly exhausted every possible avenue to resolve this at the local level, though we will continue to take our fight to the new federal Panel review.”

Also this week, RAVEN is sponsoring Blaine Grinder of Tl’etinqox (one of the six communities of the Tsilhqot’in Nation)to attend and present at the  World Water Forum 6, in Marseille France.  The conference runs March 12-17, 2012.  In an effort to educate and reach out to a new audience, Blaine is “looking to support others in their fight for clean water, get the message out there internationally to keep the Canadian Government accountable for their actions, and we are also requesting to have speakers during our environmental panel hearings on our behalf, letters and emails to CEAA as well. Also the new Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent, the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, please email on our behalf to tell them to protect Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and once again make the right decision to reject the new prosperity proposal.”

Blaine has written an initial blog, and will be adding more soon from his experience at the conference. 

SETTLEMENT BETWEEN TNG AND TML

TNG and TML have settled the two court cases (Taseko’s Civil Claim against Chief Marilyn and others, and Chief Marilyn’s Petition challenging the permits) relating to the exploration program. Taseko will commence a reduced scope of work that will be undertaken for the sole purposes of obtaining information required for the Federal environmental assessment of the proposed New Prosperity Project. On this basis, the parties have agreed not to further pursue existing legal actions.

TNG and the Tsilhqot’in remain 100% committed to opposing and defeating the New Prosperity Project.

TNG issued a news release February 29, 2012 to clarify their position. Stating the nation is determined to fight the “new” Prosperity proposal, the band goes on to say, “However, for the sole purpose of providing information to the federal environmental assessment process, the Tsilhqot’in have agreed to allow TML to carry out a significantly reduced exploration program under strict conditions.”

TNG RESPONSE TO TASEKO DEFAMATION LAWSUIT

You may have read that Taseko has launched a defamation suit against the Wilderness Committee over statements the environmental group made about the New Prosperity Mine on their (Wilderness Committee’s) website and Facebook page.

Many eNGOs consider this claim to be a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suit.  Friends of the Nemaiah recently reported this suit as indicative of an overly aggressive attitude to those who oppose the New Prosperity project, which has been described as the “wrong mine in the wrong place.”

In response, Joe Foy of the Wilderness Committee stated, “We have a responsibility to be reasonable and work within the law, with respect to Taseko Mines, but we also have a responsibility as a B.C. environmental group to stand up for our values and speak truths and we believe this mine should not proceed…..The high environmental risk and long-term environmental risks, and impact on human rights in respect to the Tsilhqot’in Nation, we strongly and proudly oppose this mine and will do so with all our abilities.”

TNG issued a response in a recent press release, suggesting that Taseko considering suing themselves for similar statements made by them in the first round of Panel hearings:

“Perhaps it intends to sue its own Vice President – Brian Battison – who on March 22, 2010, on the opening day of the review hearings, stated: “Developing Prosperity means draining Fish Lake. We wish it were otherwise. We searched hard for a different way. A way to retain the lake and have the mine. But there is no viable alternative. The lake and the deposit sit side by side. It is not possible to have one without the loss of the other.”

“Or might it sue its VP of Engineering, Scott Jones, who told those hearings: “What happens to the water quality in Fish Lake, if you try and preserve that body of water with the tailings facility right up against it, is that over time the water quality in Fish Lake will become equivalent to the water quality in the pore water of the tailings facility, particularly when it’s close. You might be able to delay that by moving the tailings facility farther away to Fish Creek South. You may even be able to minimize that, reduce it by mitigation measures that could be applied. But eventually that water quality will change.”

“These statements are on the public record, and while TML might not wish the public to be reminded of them, it seems unfair to sue an NGO for raising criticisms similar to those from the independent panel and the company itself.”

MiningWatch Canada issued this statement: “Though we regret the actions of Taseko against the Wilderness Committee, it’s honestly not that big a surprise that Taseko would act this way…..Over the course of the environmental assessment we have observed a number of actions that Taseko has taken that, in our view, are not consistent with good practices for building trust and positive relationships with stakeholders.”

FIRST ANNUAL CREATIVELY UNITED FOR THE PLANET FESTIVAL - April 20 - 22 in Victoria, BC

If you are in or near Victoria for Earth Week, please come to this amazing new festival!  RAVEN will be participating/benefitting from the gathering of artists who are donating their talents to help the smaller charities who “do the hero work” in our communities.  Brainchild of local award-winning photographer Frances Litman, the festival will start with a Friday night dance party.  Several artists including Ann Mortifee, Robert Batemen, the Soul Shakers, Paul Horn, and the Gettin’ Higher Choir will donate their time to raise awareness of the many issues represented by the charities.  Funds raised will go to Sierra Club of BC, Western Wilderness Committee, Dogwood Initiative, Ancient Forest Alliance, the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, BC Land Conservancy, Wild Arc, RAVEN, Oases Conservation Society, Peace Valley Environment Association, Child and Nature Alliance, Habitat for Humanity Victoria, and YES B.C. 

RAVEN will have a booth at the event, and our directors and volunteers will be taking turns so please drop by to visit.  This is a great chance for us and all the other worthy groups to “Be seen and be significant!”  Many events are free, and tickets are on sale now for those events that have a cost.  You can find out more at the festival website.

PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING FEDERAL REVIEW HEARINGS

The final terms of reference for the CEAA panel are yet to be released.  However, preliminary quotes have been obtained by some of the scienctific analysts who will be called to work on this.  Please consider donating to cover some of these crucial (and costly) reports.  Without them, the Tsilhqot’in will not be able to present the best evidence at the hearing. 

Thank you to all those who have recently contributed!  100% of your donations will go toward the costs incurred by the band.  

With warm wishes,
Susan Smitten, Executive Director

Susan Smitten, Executive Director
RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values &Environmental Needs)
2nd floor, 844 Courtney Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1C4
t. 250.383.2331
f. 250.380.6560
www.raventrust.com
Twitter: @RAVENtrust

http://sms.vsip.ca/mailings/74/76f69853cf12bf5ec1d9e90cccce3cd4/4f5fa8ef295e6/

R.A.V.E.N. - March 16, 2012

As representatives of the Tsilhqot’in Nation which include ?Esdilagh (Alexandria Indian Band), Tsi Deldel (Alexis Creek First Nations), Tl’etinqox‐T’in (Anaham Indian Band), Yunesit’in (Stone Indian Band), Tl’esqox (Toosey Indian Band), and Xeni Gwet’in First Nations (Nemiah Valley Indian Band), we proclaim the responsibility to honor and respect water as a sacred being that sustains all life. We have been placed upon Mother Earth, each in our own traditional sacred land and territory to care for all of creation and water. In recognition of the Rights of Mother Earth we are here today to present a call to action.

We call for the World Water Forum (WWF) take immediate action this year to:

• take immediate and effective measures to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with specific attention paid to the full recognition of Indigenous land rights, including Title, and the Indigenous right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) when decisions are being made which affect Indigenous Peoples and Territories.

• take full and effective measures to ensure its actions and policies with respect to considering the Indigenous Peoples position that the proposed water policies do not pose a grave threat to the cultural survival of the Indigenous Peoples and the environment. And serious consideration is made to projects that will irreparably alienate the land and its waters from the Tsilhqot’in Nation, and all Indigenous Peoples including their homes, sacred sites, medicinal gathering areas and clean water.

We are in support of an Indigenous World Forum on Water and Peace as a solution to the challenges to the world’s water. The intent of the Indigenous World Forum on Water and Peace (IWFWP) is to bring together a diverse Indigenous knowledge network that integrates multi‐disciplinary approaches to water and peace.

We are in concert with the need to give voice to the Indigenous perspective of guardianship of all sources of water. We as Indigenous Peoples understand this as our sacred duty to protect our relationship to all the elements that comprise life. However, governments, corporations and civil society do not consider the Indigenous teachings of water. We feel it is imperative that the consideration be given to the points that have been raised by Indigenous Peoples of the world regarding the protection, conservation, safety, and access to clean water and sanitation as a priority in any discussion of water issues.

• As Indigenous Peoples, we view Western privatization as unsustainable. Furthermore, the
establishment of water as a commodity violates the basic human right to water and sacred principles of water.

• Those Indigenous peoples who are the most removed from the existing policies and
governmental decision‐making in regard to access and rights to water are the most impacted and require mechanisms for active and meaningful participation of Indigenous peoples in all water policy decisions.

These peoples are not informed, nor are they included in the establishment of policies, or agreements that involve the sale of their water sources. The right of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be recognized in all situations where water policy decisions affect Indigenous Peoples.

We, the Tsilhqot’in Nation are in support of the establishment of Water as a right of Nature. We call upon the Ministers and Heads of Delegations assembled in Marseille, France, on 13 March 2012 at the Ministerial Conference of the 6th World Water Forum to support the access to safe water as a basic human right, as recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. A central concern of Indigenous Peoples in all aspects of water and sanitation policy and solutions must be the obligation to ensure that the rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected, upheld and recognized, consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are a community of members of Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, Indigenous nations and communities.

Prepared by the Tsilhqot’in Nation:
Tel: (001) 250 392 3918 Fax: (001) 250 398 5798
March 14, 2012

Blaine’s presentation can be found in PDF format here.

http://raventrust.com/blog/2012-03/time-for-solutions-presented-by-blaine-grinder-tl-etinqox-leader-at-the-6th-world-water-forum.html

Williams Lake Tribune - March 09, 2012

Initially Xeni Gwet’in Chief Marilyn Baptiste wasn’t sure if it was worth making the trek to Geneva, Switzerland to appear before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in February, but now that she’s back home says it was important that she was there.

“I don’t like that kind of travel and it was a very long way to go for a short period of time, but observing the UN review was a tremendous opportunity and experience. It was very important for the many Indigenous and NGOs, as well as Afro-Canadian representatives from Canada that attended,” Baptiste says.

On Feb. 23, Baptiste, during a “very brief” opportunity, put forth some of the issues and concerns of First Nations in Canada. The delegation from Canada only had about three minutes to make a presentation, she says.

“We met beforehand and had the different position papers being given to the committee. We didn’t have much time to prepare ours because we arrived later than some of the others, but by getting together we were able to focus each of the positions a little more in depth so the committee could hear the voices.”

Aside from her role as chief of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government, while at the UN she also represented the Tsilhqot’in Nation, BC’s First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining, of which she’s a founding member, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs as its secretary treasurer.

“We spoke just before the committee heard Canada’s report and that was really good. One of the great advantages of being there was being able to submit an additional position paper on our aboriginal rights and titles.”

One of the reasons why the Tsilhqot’in and others in BC have not entered into the treaty process is the issue and concern of extinguishing the rights and title of their territories, she says.

“That was huge and important. Just thinking if we were not able to be there then obviously our concerns would not be put forth.”

Baptiste says she and her fellow presenters felt like they were heard by the CERD. After the Canadian government gave its “very good” report, the head of the committee thanked the government for its “excellent” report, but also noted they’d heard from NGOs, Indigenous and Afro-Canadians that it’s not as good as Canada was reporting.

“That was really good to hear. All of the questions of the committee members put forth to Canada were good and it was important to be there and hear those.”

Another thing Baptiste appreciated was the feedback she received from others. “I heard there were more committee members engaged this time, where there were more committee members asking questions. I have to put my hand up to others that have attended in the past and to those who submitted position papers this time around.”

The next step, she notes, is to follow up on the CRED report when it comes out and to utilize it in all the steps going forward.

“I think it will be helpful because it’s a part of holding Canada accountable,” Baptiste suggests.

http://www.wltribune.com/news/141964913.html

Williams Lake Tribune - December 15, 2011

Editor:

In response to Tuesday’s article, we must express our concern regarding TNG “mining manager” Mr. JP Laplante representing himself to the people of Williams Lake as an authority on the New Prosperity project, the Canadian environmental review process, and the position of Taseko Mines with respect to environment impact mitigation strategies. He is none of these things.

Regrettably Mr. Laplante and the TNG-sponsored public meeting generally have jumped the gun on the official public forums that are forthcoming as part of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s due process. These latter forums are intended to encourage informed and moderated discussion in an environment where accurate information is available to all and questions can be answered by accredited experts on all matters. It is troubling that the facts about a project with such profound benefits for the regional, provincial and national economies — including thousands of new jobs and billions in new public revenues — should be buried under a program of misinformation and bias, such as it was on Thursday.

It is very telling that Mr. Laplante used the federal panel findings on the original Prosperity project development plan to levy his criticisms. That plan is not what is currently before the federal government for review nor does it reflect the significant measures Taseko Mines has undertaken in New Prosperity to address the concerns of the government and those of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. Conspicuously absent in Mr. Laplante’s reference to the federal panel findings were the conclusions of that panel that stated the project would have “no significant environmental effects on air quality, water quality, wildlife or vegetation; no risk to fish in the Taseko River; and no risk to human health.”

New Prosperity goes even further in minimizing environmental impact.

Taseko Mines is committed to the rigorous environmental review process that is currently underway with CEAA at the helm. We encourage all concerned with the project — from the thousands of supporters in the Cariboo Chilcotin to the most outspoken opponents — to respect this process and participate in fruitful dialogue based on verifiable facts. We look forward to well-attended public forums as part of the CEAA process in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the full New Prosperity project description, as it now sits before government, is available for review on the online discussion forum http://www.newprosperityproject.ca.

Brian Battison

vice president,

corporate affairs

Taseko Mines Limited

http://www.wltribune.com/opinion/letters/135613143.html

Stockhouse - December 5, 2011

Vancouver miner vows to take whatever steps are necessary to put controversial British Columbia gold-copper mine into production.

Stockhouse bullboards were buzzing Monday following reports that Taseko Mines Ltd. (TSX: T.TKO, Stock Forum) has failed to secure a court injunction that would prevent protesters from blocking the road to its Prosperity gold-copper mine in British Columbia.

On December 2, the B.C. Supreme Court suspended two of Taseko’s work permits for a period of up to 90 days to allow time for the court to hear a judicial review brought forward by the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The judicial review challenges the adequacy of the consultation performed by the B.C. provincial government before the permits were issued.

On December 5, the first day of trading after the decision was released, shares of Taseko fell 3.3% to $2.95, giving the company a market cap of $576 million, based on 195.3 million shares outstanding. The stock trades in a 52-week range of $6.31 and $2.45.

One Stockhouse poster said he thought the Vancouver company should be doing more to try and ease the tension over the proposed Prosperity mine and the related jurisdictional issues.

“I am a shareholder and believe that First Nations deserve a piece of the action,’’ said EOIM in a Stockhouse post. “That is what they are looking for and [Taseko] management should get them on board through proper consultation.’’

EOIM went on to say that the net asset value of the company, the last time he read the presentation is more than $10, and yet the company is languishing below $3 because of all these uncertainties.  “The court decision clearly shows that a provincial permit does not overrule aboriginal consultation,’’ he said.

But a nother poster sees last week’s court ruling as a temporary setback. “This news is a temporary hiccup and if anyone wants to sell me their shares because of it….thank you very much!’’ wrote  fiddledee in another post, adding that Taseko’s share price does not take into account the value of Prosperity.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Christopher Grauer said that judicial review will have no immediate impact on the project. “The ore bed is not going anywhere,’’ he said, according to a report by The Canadian Press.

Xeni Gwet’in chief Marilyn Baptiste and others applied for a court injunction to stop exploration on the proposed mine, which is considered to be one of the largest undeveloped copper and gold sites in Canada.  Xeni Gwet’in is one of six bands in the Tsilhqot’in Nation, and has led the group’s campaign against the project.

The proposed mine is located about 120 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake. It has been controversial because of Taseko’s earlier plan to use a nearby lake to store mine tailings. Last year, Ottawa rejected the development plan, largely on the basis of an environmental review that found that the project ( as it was then proposed) would result in significant adverse environmental affects.

For its part, Taseko said it will carefully review the latest B.C. Supreme Court ruling and then take whatever steps are deemed prudent to put the mine into production as soon as possible.

http://www.stockhouse.com/Community-News/2011/Dec/5/Uncertainty-hits-Taseko-stock-value#.Tt7a0TPmbTc.facebook

Business in Vancouver - November 17, 2011

Almost 80% of British Columbians want an end to preferential treatment for the province’s mining sector and 73% believe B.C.’s environmental assessment process needs to be strengthened, according to poll results released yesterday by Sierra Club BC.

http://www.bivinteractive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5039:british-columbians-want-stricter-mining-regulations-sierra-club&catid=14:daily-news&Itemid=46