LandKeepers News Archive
Nak’azdli Band files petition against Mt. Milligan Gold Copper Project
June 24 2009 | Media Releases | Nak'azdli
For Immediate Release:
June 24, 2009
Nak’azdli Band has filed a petition today in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against the proposed development of a Gold and Copper mine at Shus Nadloh (Mt. Milligan), approximately 95 km north of Fort St. James. The petition states that Nakazdli were promised a government-to-government process by the Ministry of Mines before the decision on the mine proceeding was made. The province has since proceeded to approve the project and has started the permitting process for the company to begin activity on the proposed mine site. This petition has been filed against the province of British Columbia for its failure to properly consult and accommodate Nak’azdli regarding the proposed Mt. Milligan project.
“The province has broken a significant promise to Nak’azdli,” said Chief Fred Sam. “We have been reasonable and proactive in proposing a government-to-government process, and the BC government has failed to respect our decision-making authority on our lands.” The Nak’azdli people and the Nation River keyoh holders, are angry that Terrane Metals and the Government of British Columbia continue to ignore their aboriginal rights and title interests. Nak’azdli has a duty to protect our lands, and we are forced to act on that duty, Chief Sam said.
Nak’azdli has long asserted the province must enter into government-to-government talks over this major mine proposal. The First Nation has longstanding concerns about environmental and social impacts in the region. The massive mine proposes to dump its waste into nearby waters, destroying important fish habitat. In addition, the caribou, beaver, grizzly bears, and other wildlife of the region will be heavily impacted.
“Nak’azdli has been patient. We have given Terrane Metals and the government of British Columbia reasonable opportunity to seek an agreement to operate within Nak’azdli Territory in a manner that respects our aboriginal rights and title interests, but they have failed to do so,” said Chief Sam “Nak’azdli has presented the environmental, social and cultural impacts and concerns to the government and the company. According to independent studies conducted over the past two years it is apparent that this proposed project will cause damage to our land, and infringements to our aboriginal right and title.
“Nak’azdli will not sit idly by as our lands are exploited without our consent;” said Chief Fred Sam. “We have been left with no option but to file a petition against the proposed mine project at Shus Nadloh (Mt. Milligan) and to provide Terrane Metals with an eviction notice demanding that they remove all their infrastructure and equipment from Nak’azdli territory”
For more information, please contact
Anne Marie Sam, Nak’azdli First Nation
Primary Phone: 250-649-8284
Secondary Phone: 250-996-7171
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