This past weekend Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML) attempted to begin exploration near Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) on un-ceded Tsilhqot’in Territories. The company was asked to leave the territory and on Monday November 14th the Tsilhqot’in Nation filed for an injunction “to halt its plans for extensive road-building, drilling, excavation of test pits, and timber clearing in support of its unprecedented and controversial resubmitted bid for approval of its soundly rejected Prosperity Mine project.”
TML is attempting to begin work on the territories knowing that they will not get approval from the federal government for at least 12 months, and without the consent of the Tsilhqot’in. The company proceeded to apply for their own injunction on November 15th against members of the Tsilhqot’in Nation that will be heard at the BC Law Courts on November 18th.
Take action!
We are asking you to come support the Tsilhqot’in while the attempt to defend their territories against devastation by this so-called “new” mining proposal.
Friday, November 18th
Rally @ 9:00 AM
BC Law Courts
Gathering Corner of Hornby & Nelson
The company now claims they won’t drain Teztan Biny or Fish Lake, however the new tailings pond it is planning to build will destroy two other bodies of water that are vital to the survival Teztan Biny. “Fish Lake will still be on life support and die a slower death” says Chief Marilyn of the Xeni Gwet’in, one of six Tsilhqot’in communities.
It is unimaginable that a company is allowed threaten Teztan Biny in pursuit of a proposal that both the CEAA and Taseko have acknowledged is more environmentally damaging that the proposal that was already rejected last year. “The company is on record admitting this new option is worse than the one that was rejected last year, and a CEAA review panel has already agreed with that assessment,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, which represents six First Nations. “To proceed any further will place an unjustified burden on us and on taxpayers and will demonstrate the excessive influence that this company, its lobbyists and hired guns have on government.”
Join us outside the BC Law Courts on November 18th to stand solidarity with the Tsilhqot’in Nation in defence of their land, water and right to self determination.
For more information, e-mail hgrewal@canadians.org or call 604-340-2455.