Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) Newswire

Friends of Nemaiah Valley - May 22, 2012

Hello all Friends of Friends of the Nemaiah Valley;

For the 10th year in a row, FONV is pleased to announce a speaker as part of our Annual General Meeting.

When: Monday, June 4th, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Garry Oak Room, Fairfield Community Centre, 1335 Thurlow Road, Victoria, B.C.

This year, we are pleased that Jay Nelson, a lawyer with Woodward and Company since 2002, has agreed to be our speaker. Jay is committed to assisting First Nations in achieving recognition of their Aboriginal rights, through education and awareness, consultation and accommodation, negotiated settlements and, where necessary, litigation.

Jay graduated from the University of Victoria Faculty of Law in 2000, where he received the Law Society Gold Medal. Upon graduation, he served as a law clerk for the Chief Justice of Canada, Beverley McLachlin. Jay then joined Woodward and Company and has spent the following years as a member of the legal team for the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation and the Tsilhqot’in Nation in their historic Aboriginal title and rights claim, Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia.

With co-counsel  Sean Nixon, Jay acted  for the Tsilhqot’in Nation in their opposition to the proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine, which was rejected by the Federal Government in November 2010. He appeared as co-counsel on behalf of Tsilhqot’in Nation in the Tsilhqot’in Nation appeals argued before the B.C. Court of Appeal in November 2010.

Last December, while acting as counsel for the Tsilhqot’in National Government, Jay successfully argued that the Tsilhqot’in people were not properly consulted before the B.C. government granted two work permits to Taseko. Subsequently Judge Grauer granted the Tsilhqot’in National Government an injunction against Taseko Mines Ltd. coming onto their territory. Since then, the TNG allowed Taseko to proceed with exploration in order to do work required for their Environmental Impact Statement.

Jay will give us an update of what’s happening with the “New” Prosperity Mine project and the coming CEAA process. This should be of great interest to anyone who has been following this ill-conceived proposal as it goes forward for a second round of hearings.

This talk is free and open to the public.  Please share.

Cheers,
FONV
info@fonv.ca

Tsilhqot’in Territory, May 11, 2012:  The Tsilhqot’in Nation today reaffirms its position to the newly appointed “New” Prosperity Review Panel that the mine cannot be approved and that the entire credibility of Canada’s environmental assessment process hangs in the balance.  This version of the mine was already reviewed and rejected by the previous Panel, then called “Mine Development Plan #2”, because Environment Canada and the company itself testified that it posed a higher environmental risk than the previous plan and would likely contaminate Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) over time.  The mine design does not solve any of the significant impacts found by the previous Panel.

“Although the government did not appoint a First Nations member to the Panel, we recognize that three professionals have been appointed. We are confident that upon scrutiny, that the work undertaken by this new panel will completely confirm the previous panel’s findings that this alternative version of the mine poses even greater environmental risk,” said Tsilhqot’in National Government Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse, “And will mean the same devastating impacts for our culture and our Tsilhqot’in way of life”.

“We trust this Panel will undoubtedly come to understand what it would mean for our culture to have a sacred place destroyed,” said Chief Marilyn Baptiste of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation.  “Yanah Biny and Nabas – where we have homes and graves – are still threatened.  Teztan Biny would be surrounded and contaminated by one of Canada’s biggest open-pit mining operations.”

Chief Alphonse: “The Tsilhqot’in have already proven our Aboriginal rights to this area in one of Canada’s longest court battles.  We won’t back down.  No government can stop us from reflecting on who we are and the importance that this area has for us – this isn’t residential school.”

Chief Baptiste:  “We are fighting for our cultural survival.  We see this as a major environmental threat to the headwaters of the Taseko Lake and River systems.  At stake is the wellbeing of one of British Columbia’s salmon runs.  The Tsilhqot’in have protected our headwaters and salmon for generations and we won’t stop now.  Keeping our waters clean and salmon safe is for everybody, not just the Tsilhqot’in.”

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires States to consult and cooperate in good faith with indigenous peoples in order to obtain their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories.  We expect nothing less as this proposal is a potential extinguishment of our Aboriginal Rights to hunt, trap and fish in a sensitive area at the headwaters of the Taseko River.

Media Contacts: Chief Marilyn Baptiste: 250-267-1401 or 250-394-7023

Chief Joe Alphonse: 250-305-8282 or 250-394-4212

Attachment: Ten facts that show why Prosperity Mine proposal cannot be approved

TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Ten facts that show why resubmitted Prosperity Mine proposal cannot be approved

1. The CEAA review panel process was very different from the BC EAO rubber-stamp decision. Its report found immitigable, devastating impacts to the local fish stocks and endangered grizzly populations, and to the existing and future rights of the Tsilhqot’in and its youth. Then Environment Minister Jim Prentice described the report’s findings as “scathing” and “probably the most condemning I have ever read.” 

2. The company knows its new option is worse than its first plan. TML’s V.P. Corporate Affairs, Brian Battison, was clear in his Mar. 22, 2010, opening presentation to the CEAA hearings, when he 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.”

3. The point was emphasised by TML’s VP of engineering, Scott Jones, who stated: “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.”  

4. This proposal does not address the issues that led to the rejection of the first bid last year. Fish Lake will be affected by the toxic waste and eventually die, and it will be surrounded by a massive open pit mine and related infrastructure for decades.  The Tsilhqot’in people will not have access to their spiritual place, and the area will never be returned to the current pristine state.

It is not even new. It is “Mine Development Plan 2.”  TML states on page 20 of its project submission: “Option 2 is the basis for the New Prosperity design …The concepts that lead to the configuration of MDP Option 2 have been utilized to develop the project description currently being proposed.”

5. This option was looked at and rejected last year by the company, Environment Canada and the CEAA review panel. For example, page 65 of the review report states:  “The Panel agrees with the observations made by Taseko and Environment Canada that Mine Development Plans 1 and 2 would result in greater long-term environmental risk than the preferred alternative.”

6. The new $300 million in proposed spending is to cover the costs of relocating mine waste a little further away. There is nothing in the ‘new’ plan to mitigate all the environmental impacts identified in the previous assessment. TML states in its economic statement: “The new development design, predicated on higher long term prices for both copper and gold, would result in a direct increase in capital costs of $200 million to purchase additional mining equipment to relocate the tailings dam and to move the mine waste around Fish Lake to new locations. This redesign also adds $100 million in direct extra operating costs over the 20-year mine life to accomplish that task.” In fact, this new spending is actually $37 million less than the company said last year it would have to spend just to go with the option that it and the review panel agreed would be worse for the environment.

7.  The federal government is required under the Constitution to protect First Nations, which have been found to be under serious threat in this case, and is internationally committed to do so under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These duties are every bit as clear regarding this resubmitted proposal.

8.  Approving this mine would show the Environmental Assessment process is meaningless, and would demonstrate that governments are ignoring their obligations -  as the Assembly of First Nations  national chiefs-in-assembly made this crystal clear this summer in their resolution of support for the Tsilhqot’in.

9.  The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has opposed this project since it was first raised in 1995. It soundly rejected it again last year. It has no reason to support it now. Nor does Environment Canada, which, as the CEAA report noted last year, also found option 2 to be worse than the original bid.

10.  There are many other more worthy projects to be pursued – the vast majority of which, if not all will require working with aboriginal communities. Natural Resources Canada estimates there is $350 billion-$500 billion worth of such potential projects in Canada.  Governments, industry and investors do not need to go backwards by pushing this confrontational proposal and rebuffing efforts by First Nations to find a way to create a better mining system that would benefit everyone in the long run.

JP Laplante, B.Sc., B.I.T.

Mining, Oil and Gas Manager

Tsilhqot’in National Government

253 Fourth Avenue North

Williams Lake BC V2G 4T4

Tel: 250-392-3918 (If Unanswered, Press 3, then 9)

Fax: 250-398-5798

Email: jlaplante@tsilhqotin.ca

www.tsilhqotin.ca

Toll Free: 1-877-512-2674

Tsilhqot’in Territory, February 29, 2012: After a series of recent community meetings, the Tsilhqot’in Nation has reinforced its determination to protect Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and the surrounding area from the threat of Taseko Mines Ltd.’s (TML) proposed “new” Prosperity Mine.  The Tsilhqot’in communities strongly opposed TML’s 2011 exploration program and obtained an injunction from the BC Supreme Court preventing the company from conducting that work, pending a challenge to the approvals. 

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.  On this basis, all parties have agreed to end all outstanding litigation about the exploration program.

“This was not a decision we made lightly,” said Xeni Gwet’in Chief Marilyn Baptiste.  “The communities were prepared to oppose this exploration at all costs.  We don’t want any more damage to this sacred area.  But as a Nation, we’ve made a decision to focus our energies on the real battle of defeating this project, full-stop.”

Chief Joe Alphonse, Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, which represents six First Nations: “We already know this version of the project is worse than what was already rejected by the Federal government in 2010.  We know this because the company said so themselves.  The agreement to allow TML to conduct further tests in no way suggests that the Tsilhqot’in Nation is ready to accept the project, and in fact, the message we heard from the communities was that we must do everything we can to protect these lands and waters from this mine proposal.”

Media Contacts: Chief Marilyn Baptiste: 250-267-1401    Chief Joe Alphonse: 250-305-8282

Attachment: Ten facts that show why Prosperity Mine proposal cannot be approved

Ten facts that show why resubmitted Prosperity Mine proposal cannot be approved

1.  The CEAA review panel process was very different from the BC EAO rubber-stamp decision. Its report found immitigable, devastating impacts to the local fish stocks and endangered grizzly populations, and to the existing and future rights of the Tsilhqot’in and its youth. Then Environment Minister Jim Prentice described the report’s findings as “scathing” and “probably the most condemning I have ever read.”

2.  The company knows its new option is worse than its first plan. TML’s V.P. Corporate Affairs, Brian Battison, was clear in his Mar. 22, 2010, opening presentation to the CEAA hearings, when he 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.”

3.  The point was emphasised by TML’s VP of engineering, Scott Jones, who stated: “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.”

4.  This proposal does not address the issues that led to the rejection of the first bid last year. Fish Lake will be affected by the toxic waste and eventually die, and it will be surrounded by a massive open pit mine and related infrastructure for decades.  The Tsilhqot’in people will not have access to their spiritual place, and the area will never be returned to the current pristine state.

It is not even new. It is “Mine Development Plan 2.”  TML states on page 20 of its project submission: “Option 2 is the basis for the New Prosperity design …The concepts that lead to the configuration of MDP Option 2 have been utilized to develop the project description currently being proposed.”

5.  This option was looked at and rejected last year by the company, Environment Canada and the CEAA review panel. For example, page 65 of the review report states:  “The Panel agrees with the observations made by Taseko and Environment Canada that Mine Development Plans 1 and 2 would result in greater long-term environmental risk than the preferred alternative.”

6.  The new $300 million in proposed spending is to cover the costs of relocating mine waste a little further away. There is nothing in the ‘new’ plan to mitigate all the environmental impacts identified in the previous assessment. TML states in its economic statement: “The new development design, predicated on higher long term prices for both copper and gold, would result in a direct increase in capital costs of $200 million to purchase additional mining equipment to relocate the tailings dam and to move the mine waste around Fish Lake to new locations. This redesign also adds $100 million in direct extra operating costs over the 20-year mine life to accomplish that task.” In fact, this new spending is actually $37 million less than the company said last year it would have to spend just to go with the option that it and the review panel agreed would be worse for the environment.

7.  The federal government is required under the Constitution to protect First Nations, which have been found to be under serious threat in this case, and is internationally committed to do so under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These duties are every bit as clear regarding this resubmitted proposal.

8.  Approving this mine would show the Environmental Assessment process is meaningless, and would demonstrate that governments are ignoring their obligations -  as the Assembly of First Nations  national chiefs-in-assembly made this crystal clear this summer in their resolution of support for the Tsilhqot’in.

9.  The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has opposed this project since it was first raised in 1995. It soundly rejected it again last year. It has no reason to support it now. Nor does Environment Canada, which, as the CEAA report noted last year, also found option 2 to be worse than the original bid.

10.  There are many other more worthy projects to be pursued – the vast majority of which, if not all will require working with aboriginal communities. Natural Resources Canada estimates there is $350 billion-$500 billion worth of such potential projects in Canada.  Governments, industry and investors do not need to go backwards by pushing this confrontational proposal and rebuffing efforts by First Nations to find a way to create a better mining system that would benefit everyone in the long run.

Williams Lake Tribune - February 28, 2012 7:00 AM

The independent MLA for Cariboo North Bob Simpson says he is not surprised that  Xeni Gwet’in Chief Marilyn Baptiste is in Geneva, Switzerland this week to report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) 80th Session.

The TNG submitted a formal report to the CERD to highlight ongoing violations of Indigenous rights that the Tsilhqot’in experience in Canada. Baptiste is in Geneva to present the report to the committee.

Tl’etinqox Chief Joe Alphonse, chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, said the Tsilhqot’in are prepared to go to the international level to protect their nation’s rights and title.

“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.”

In addition, Baptiste warned the Tsilhqot’in will continue to call on both the B.C. and federal governments to uphold their fiduciary duties to protect the TNG rights and title, which Baptiste says means protecting Teztan Biny and Nabas from this dangerous proposal.

“We are also calling on the reform of B.C.’s outdated mining laws to be compliant with the standards found in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and which result in bad projects being forced upon us without our consent,” Baptiste said.

Simpson told the Tribune the critical factor is that Canada clearly doesn’t have its act together in respect to First Nations’ rights and title.

“It’s not just the Tsilhqot’in that are going to the United Nations. We’ve had a number of First Nations across Canada just so frustrated with the national and provincial governments, that they’ve decided to take their claims to an international body,” Simpson said.

He also said the presentation in Geneva will be a “black mark” on Canada because it will allow the rest of the world to see that Canada does not have its house in order with respect to indigenous people’s rights.

Referring specifically to the proposed New Prosperity Mine Project, Simpson suggested it shows that the TNG is opposed to the particular project and the particular company, Taseko Mines Ltd.

“I have been asking the government for two years now to find a mechanism to get Taseko to stand down for a bit until such times as we can figure out a way to engage in a dialogue with the Tsilhqot’in about their rights and title,” Simpson said.

It could be an agreement or reconciliation agreement structure for proponents of projects to be able to work with government and the TNG to see if those projects are going to succeed.

“Taseko owns a part of the ill will that exists, but I still blame the provincial and federal governments for trying to steamroll over rights and title issues. Instead of blowing past that with another panel, they need to do the hard work of sitting down with the Tsilhqot’in to figure out how we are able to look at natural resource extraction through that rights and title lens,” Simpson suggested.

Both Taseko Mines vice president of corporate affairs Brian Battison and Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett declined to comment.

http://www.wltribune.com/news/140656423.html

By Carole Rooney - 100 Mile House Free Press
Published: February 15, 2012 8:00 AM
Updated: February 15, 2012 8:10 AM

Taseko Mines Ltd. vice-president Brian Battison is involved in extensive studies for the New Prosperity Mine federal environmental assessment. Last November, it was granted one year to resubmit its proposal.

An area First Nations leader doesn’t agree Taseko Mines Ltd. could successfully preserve Fish Lake in the proposed New Prosperity Mine project.

Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) tribal chair Chief Joe Alphonse says Fish Lake might remain there, but it wouldn’t have any fish in it.

The new proposal is “wiping out 80 per cent of the spawning grounds,” he explains. Regardless, what the plan is, Alphonse says the proposal for a mine and dam there would destroy the lake.

“There’s no dam in the world that has never leaked. Seepage is going to happen whether you like it or not.”

Even moving the mine a kilometre or two upstream, everything is still going to drain into Fish Lake, the TNG chair explains.

“We’re concerned that population of fish is going to be wiped out. That’s our biggest concern … has always been our concern…. What good is a lake that’s got no fish in it?”

Brian Battison, Taseko Mines Ltd corporate affairs vice-president, says the main reason the first proposal was rejected was the impact it would have on Fish Lake, but there is a way to retain the lake and control seepage.

“It was one of the ways that was examined as part of the alternatives assessment, which was part of the previous assessment as one of the options.

“There were other ways to do it, but none of them were economic … it was not viable at the time.”

Battison says the points Chief Alphonse raises will be examined in “considerable” detail in the environmental assessment process.

Taseko’s studies are still underway, he adds, and will continue for some time yet during the year’s timeline it was granted last November to resubmit.

“Those points will be addressed in detail, and need to be addressed to the satisfaction of regulators and to the Government of Canada.”

Battison explains Taseko expects examination of the interrelationship between the mine components and Fish Lake will be the “central focus” during the upcoming environmental assessment process.

“That is precisely what the studies we’re doing [are], and the kind of studies that need to be done to satisfy an environmental assessment.”

Meanwhile, Alphonse says it’s “just another kick at the can” for Taseko Mines and “more about bruised egos” than anything else.

However, Battison says Taseko would not be making the effort to submit a new plan if it didn’t believe these issues could be satisfactorily addressed for federal and provincial government regulators.

“We would not be pursuing an environmental assessment for this project if we weren’t fully confident we could address the concerns identified in the first environmental assessment.

“[The federal government was] very clear in their signals that they weren’t opposed to the mine being here, if we can address things.”

The process incorporates participation from the public, he notes, along with government regulators, that all have or may have direct input and questions answered.

Alphonse adds Taseko’s proposal is unlikely to succeed if an impartial review panel is selected.

“[Tsilhqot’in chiefs] are in a situation where we know they have to pick a panel, and as long as the panel is unbiased and that panel is comprised of a bunch of professionals, we think the findings are going to be again no different than they were the last go-around. We have confidence in that.”

Regarding the legal action Taseko announced Nov. 14 against undisclosed individuals who obstructed its employees and equipment convoy from entering the mine site, Battison remains tight-lipped.

“I’m not going to make any comment on that. I’m just not able to.”

He won’t confirm if this is due to legal proceedings.

http://www.100milefreepress.net/news/139359658.html

Welcome to Williams Lake - December 9, 2011

By LeRae Haynes

The Tsilhqot’in National Government and the Council of Canadians hosted an open forum last night on the new Prosperity project, to a more-than-capacity audience at the Arts Centre. There were presentations by TNG Chief Joe Alphonse and TNG mining manager JP Laplant.

(Audience members were invited to join the drummers and singers, each holding a drop of water from Fish Lake in their hands.)

A Power Point presentation called ‘What the “new” Prosperity looks like’ was shown by JP Laplant, who also provided technical information about the differences between the ‘new’ proposal and the original one.

An open discussion period followed the Power Point presentation, where members of the audience asked questions of Chief Alphonse, or offered opinions about the new proposal.

Both JP and Chief Alphonse stated clearly that Taseko’s new project will have a negative affect on water in the whole area and that the TNG feel that it’s simply too high a price to pay for jobs for 20 years.

(JP Laplant is pictured here third from the left.)

Chief Alphonse stated several times that he is not against development—that the TNG is searching for and investigating other diversification projects. He also said that the TNG is aware of the critical importance of being part of the ‘bigger community’, citing the recent election of Roger William as a CRD Director and Joyce Cooper as a School Board Trustee as examples.

Audience members included former Chamber of Commerce President Walt Cobb, City Councillors Ivan Bonnell and Surinderpal Rathor, local environmentalists, RCMP, people from Forestry and Fisheries and BC Wildlife backgrounds, NDP MLA candidate Charlie Wyse, local First Nations leaders and community members, MLA Bob Simpson and Mayor Kerry Cook.

Questions and comments included where people can go to offer financial support to the TNG’s case and how to find out more information about the Council of Canadians. “I can see several diverse groups in this room tonight, and it’s very clear that all these organizations need to work together to build a very strong, sustainable community, moving ahead with a strong economic base and a resilient social fiber,” stated John Dressler from the Council of Canadians.

“My family landed on the other side of the continent in 1542 under royal decree to spread our seed with the indigenous people in North America,” said one audience member. “We’re now a few hundred years past that and the disaster of that plan could not be more clear. I come from a multi-generational Masonic family and find it very interesting to hear that (the Prosperity Mine plan) is a 33-year plan.

“I would not at all be surprised that this assault on your homeland is not so much to get the crummy yield out of a low-grade situation, but has more to do with global supremacy by a handful of people who think the globe is theirs and the rest of us can go to hell, thank you very much.”

Further audience opinions included the need for groups to work together, citing instances of other mining projects in Canada: reclamation successes and the money it takes to make them happen, concerns about farm fish taking the place of wild fish, regrets that the new federal environmental review panel members will not be the original people, concern about the recently-announced Federal cutbacks that include environmental review panels and the importance of continuing the TNG title court case.

“There’s a missing piece in this, and that’s the province,” said Independent Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson. “The province has approved the mine and still has an environmental certificate for the draining of Fish Lake. As part of that, the court case last week was to get an injunction to stop work in that area. Do you have a sense of how the province will proceed and how this injunction will affect other work in the area?”

“We went to provincial court last week and the judge basically granted us a victory in that case,” Chief Alphonse responded. “We were ordered to sit down and try to hash it out in 90 days with the province.

“If the province is going to be issuing permits, they have an obligation and that’s what’s missing. If Christy Clark is going to have this kind of impact without that obligation, maybe the real issue is to call a provincial election.”

Another speaker, who said he worked 25 years with Fish and Wildlife, spoke about the toxic effects of mine tailings on fish and animals. He said that the proposed Prosperity project will have an enormous impact on salmon, from Taseko River and the Fish lakes to the Fraser River. “I hope you hold another meeting like this in January, February, and March and so on—we should meet once a month to keep updated on this.”

Chief Alphonse acknowledged Walt Cobb’s presence at the meeting and then invited Mayor Cook to come to the front of the room and share some comments toward the end of the meeting. “As Joe said, I think it’s so vitally important as communities, as individuals—as people—that we come together and listen and try to understand each other’s positions,” she said.

“I think everyone in this room knows that the City has taken the position of pro-Prosperity, and despite that, we have been able to develop very respectful ways to deal with issues and common interests, such as the reduction of crime.

“My hat goes off to Chief Joe and the rest of the Chiefs for coming together with the City and joining with the City and partnering with the City on a number of issues.

“This is too important of a project to let it divide the community,” she continued. “We’re neighbors and we need to find ways to listen and to move forward together. I think that’s a challenge, and it certainly hasn’t been easy for me personally and from the City, to walk through these last three years.

“People said, ‘Kerry, you’re crazy—how can you say from the City’s position that you’re for Prosperity, and still believe in the importance of building and strengthening First Nations relationships?’

“That is something that is very dear to my heart, and to all of Council. We have moved forward and don’t want to go backwards. We will continue to work with Chief Joe and the other Chiefs.

“It was history in the making at our inaugural Council meeting on Tuesday—we had four chiefs in our Council Chambers and three of them spoke,” she said. “That gives me hope for the future. Together we can walk through this and better understand each other. Thank you for this forum tonight: I’m encouraged.”

http://welcometowilliamslake.ca/index.php/the-news/local-news/4697-public-prosperity-forum-at-the-arts-centre.html

Williams Lake Tribune - December 08, 2011

A Tsilhqot’in-hosted public forum will be held in Williams Lake tonight about the proposed Prosperity mine.

The forum will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Cariboo Arts Centre.

The event, “Does ‘new’ Prosperity mine save Teztan Biny (Fish Lake),” will include a Tsilhqot’in presentation on the new proposal.

It will also include an open community discussion about participation in the new environmental assessment process, what to expect, and how to best participate, according to a news release from the Tsilhqot’in National Government.

http://www.wltribune.com/news/135211218.html