Press Conference: First hand account from Mount Polley disaster

Press Release –

ALL NEWS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONFERENCE NOTICE

WHEN: Monday, September 8, 2014 at 10 am

WHERE: Union of BC Indian Chiefs, 500 – 342 Water Street, Vancouver, BC

WHO: Kanahus Pelkey, Larry Chambers, Lawna Kuester

Friday September 5, Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories – Members of the Secwepemc Nation and Likely residents will be hosting a press conference on Monday September 8 at 10 am at the boardroom of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs in Vancouver.

The purpose of the press conference is to give a first-hand eye-witness account on the devastation and destruction of the Imperial Metals-operated Mount Polley mine spill. Secwepemc Elder Henry Sauls and land defenders, including Kanahus Pelkey established a Sacred Fire and Yuct Ne Senxiymetkwe Camp for fourteen days near the spill area to monitor the environmental impacts of the spill and take testimonies from Likely residents and Mt. Polley employees.  Larry Chambers, local Likely resident, who was fired for previously reporting unsafe practices at the mine site, “We are concerned about our local drinking water and the long term health of our water, lake and rivers.”

According to Kanahus Pelkey, a founder of the Yuct Ne Senxiymetkwe Camp, “We have seen that Imperial Metals are pumping the tailings into fresh water leading to Quesnel Lake, the cleanest deep-water lake in the world. Fishermen are reporting that skin is peeling off the salmon.”

“We, the Secwepemc rightful title holders, have joined forces with local residents from Likely in our common concern to ensure that the BC government and Imperial Metals take full responsibility for this spill, including a safe and reliable clean-up plan,” Pelkey further states.

It is now being reported that the spill is 70% bigger than first estimated, with 10.6 million cubic metres of water, 7.3 million cubic metres of tailings and 6.5 million cubic metres of “interstitial” water being released into Hazeltine Creek, Polley Lake and Quesnel Lake.

“We have a clear message for Premier Clark, who is meeting onSeptember 11th with the First Nation Leadership Council and Chiefs of BC: there can be no mining on our lands without free, prior and informed consent and the environment must take precedence over mining. As Indigenous Peoples, we fully assume our authority to protect and steward the lands under Aboriginal Title and Rights,” says Pelkey

Contact:  Kanahus Pelkey (250) 682-2744

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