Tsilhqot’in Nation Announces Release of Draft Mining Policy

Tsilhqot’in Territory, B.C. (July 31, 2014): Today the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs announced the release of the Tsilhqot’in National Government’s (TNG) draft Mining Policy for public, government and industry consultation. The TNG will be gathering feedback over the next several months prior to finalizing the Mining Policy.

“We are extremely pleased to be releasing our own Mining Policy,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government. “The Tsilhqot’in are moving forward to develop more positive relationships. We are not against mining if companies build a respectful relationship right from the start, and demonstrate that they can satisfy our cultural and environmental concerns. The Tsilhqot’in Nation recognizes the need to clarify how industry should be engaging with us as another level of government.”

“While this policy opens our doors to more respectful relationships with industry, we also expect respect from industry for our sacred places like Teztan Biny. The mining industry and the provincial government should have recognized long ago that the proposed Prosperity mine was a highly sensitive cultural and environmental area. This recognition would have saved everyone decades of grief and wasted investments in money and time from shareholders and community stakeholders.”

“There are dozens of mineral exploration projects in our territory and this policy will clarify for those proponents, government officials, and anyone else thinking of staking claims, that Tsilhqot’in laws remain in force in our territory, as they have since time immemorial. With our recent victory at the Supreme Court for Title, we will continue to enforce Tsilhqot’in law throughout our territory.”

“We look forward to proactively engaging with socially responsible companies with interests in our territory. Our doors are open and the earlier you engage; the more effective it will be for everyone.”

“The rejection of the Prosperity mine should be a lesson to all other industry: to attempt to run roughshod over First Nations is not a viable strategy. The Tsilhqot’in Mining Policy presents a reasonable alternative, beginning with meaningful engagement from the very beginning.”

TNG’s Mining Policy will undergo public, industry and government consultation for a number of weeks.
Comments on the Policy can be submitted to TNGMiningPolicy@tsilhqotin.ca until September 30, 2014.

The draft Mining Policy can be downloaded here: http://www.tsilhqotin.ca/PDFs/MiningPolicyDistribution.pdf

The Mining Policy Map, reflecting Tsilhqot’in Stewardship Agreement (TSA) boundaries, can be downloaded here: http://www.tsilhqotin.ca/PDFs/MiningPolicyMap.pdf

Media Contact:
Chief Joe Alphonse – 250-305-8282

NT5