Support for Harvard Study: Bearing the Burden: The Effects of Mining on First Nations in British Columbia
Jun 8 2010
BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council
#618- 100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2
News Release
June 8, 2010
Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC, Canada) The BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC) is in full support of the findings by the Harvard Law School report, Bearing the Burden: The Effects of Mining on First Nations in British Columbia, released today.
The Council echoes the concerns of Takla Chief Dolly Abraham that major mining reforms are required to adjust to the evolving case law in Canada and internationally.
Dave Porter, the CEO of the Council states, “Chief Abraham and other First Nations in British Columbia have sought our assistance. We understand the frustrations identified by Takla and are prepared to discuss them with public government and industry officials.”
In the last year the FNEMC has developed a number of papers that could solve some of the problems outlined in the Harvard study.
These include:
• Environmental assessment solutions paper. This paper provides a solution to the concerns raised by First Nations to the provincial environmental assessment process that includes a shared-decision making e.a. review.
• Sharing the wealth policy document. This paper outlines a path for potential agreements between industry and First Nations for mining and mineral exploration agreements. It states that revenue sharing agreements between the Crown and First Nations are also required and should be negotiated before application to the environmental assessment process.
• Traditional ecological knowledge protocol. Protocols such as these are important before mining projects proceed.
• Mining free entry solutions paper. This paper outlines the antiquated free entry process and identifies solutions for reforms.
The BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council was officially created in 2009 after the Chiefs in British Columbia developed the BC First Nations Energy Action Plan (2007) and the BC First Nations Mineral Exploration and Mining Action Plan (2008). Our role is to advocate for policy and legislative reforms for First Nations in British Columbia. The Council was interviewed by the Harvard Law School for input into the report.
View the report at: http://law.harvard.edu/programs/hrp/BearingTheBurden.pdf.
Media Inquiries/Interviews:
Dave Porter CEO, First Nations Energy and Mining Council: Contact: 604-921-2014
Website www.fnenergyandminingcouncil.ca
|
| 