Dakelh Traditional Territory/Prince George, BC – The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is standing firm with the Tsilhqot’in and other indigenous peoples in calling for the government of Canada to reject the Prosperity Mine proposal to kill a fresh water lake. The Takla Lake First Nation, member of the CSTC, participated in protest in a similar process during the Kemess North Joint Panel hearings, which was wise to recommend that Amazay Lake (Duncan Lake) not be poisoned by mine tailings from Northgate Minerals proposal to build Kemess North Mine.

“The Carrier Sekani people of the CSTC want to send a strong message of solidarity,” voiced Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee.  “Our Sekani people told the government and mining company that the killing of fresh water resources for economic gain is non-negotiable.  Neither Northgate Minerals or the government could provide better options other than using a lake to dump mining wastes.”  Such practices run against Carrier Sekani principles of protecting the land and also are inconsistent with Canadian values of protecting water resources and nature.

Chief Teegee said, “The federal Cabinet Ministers reviewing the Prosperity Mine report should just say no.  The Tsilhqot’in government has the right to decide what happens in their territory.  They have said they don’t want the project.  Taseko Mines Ltd. has made a fatal error.”  In July 2010, a Federal Review Panel submitted its report to the federal Minister of the Environment to decide the fate of the whether or not Taseko Mines Ltd. should be allowed to contaminate and kill a fresh water lake.  It is expected that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) policy of ‘no net loss’ of fish habitat to be used, which justifies the destruction of a fresh water, fish bearing lake, to be replaced by an artificially created lake, stocked with fish.  The CSTC also condemns this solution.  A decision is expected in early September 2010.

Mining companies across Canada take advantage of Canadian policies and laws that allow them to consider using fresh water systems for their operations.  This means that mining companies can save money in processing waste rock from their operations, but have severe detrimental impacts to fragile ecosystems if waste rock is put into fresh water lakes.  First Nations are the first to feel the impacts of such proposals, and place an unfair burden on having to deal with companies like Thompson Creek Metals (TSX:TCM), Northgate Minerals Corporation (TSX:NGX) and Taseko Mines Ltd. (TSX:TKO) that miss the mark in dealing fairly and seeking consent when doing business with First Nations in British Columbia, Canada. 

The CSTC member First Nations are not adverse to development, just as long as principles of free, prior, and informed consent are adhered to, as well as the protection and enhancement of Carrier Sekani values and practices.  “Certainly development is needed, but not all kinds are consistent with sustainability principles.  The Tsilhqot’in people are correct in saying no to a project that is not sustainable,” noted Vice Tribal Chief Teegee. 

“Our people are standing united with the Tsilhqot’in in saying no to the killing of sacred water, and to not signing agreements that condone such actions.  Hopefully the feds have such leadership,” said Teegee.

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For more information, contact Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee at 250-562-6279; cell (250) 640-3256

Tribal Chief David Luggi at (250) 640-6622