The Tsilhqot'in National Government, which represents six First Nations near Williams Lake, has released a draft of a mining policy which it says will pave the way for "more positive relationships" with the mining industry in their traditional territory.
The Tsilhqot'in were a key opponent of Taseko's proposed New Prosperity gold and copper mine, which was denied environmental approval by the federal government in February. In June the Tsilhqot'in won a landmark Supreme Court case recognizing the First Nations' title to more than 1,750 square kilometres of territory in the Cariboo region.
"The Tsilhqot'in are moving forward to develop more positive relationships," Chief Joe Alphonse, tribal chair of the Tsilhqot'in Nation, said in written statement. "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."
Attempts to reach Alphonse for an interview were unsuccessful as of press time.
The stated purpose of the draft policy is to: communicate Tsilhqot'in values about their nen (traditional lands); providing more certainty for mining and mineral exploration companies; and ensure "meaningful Tsilhqot'in participation" in mining and mineral exploration.
The policy sets out objectives of minimizing the negative impact to the environment and traditional way of life; maximizing the benefits to the Tsilhqot'in; clarifying decision making; and building relationships between mining and exploration companies and the Tsilhqot'in.
One of the key measures proposed in the policy is the Tsilhqot'in would require mineral exploration and mining companies to sign agreements in advance of any activity on the ground as a condition of obtaining Tsilhqot'in approval.
"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 [Fish Lake]. The rejection of the [New] Prosperity mine should be a lesson to all other industry: to attempt to run roughshod over First Nations is not a viable strategy," Alphonse wrote. "The Tsilhqot'in mining policy presents a reasonable alternative, beginning with meaningful engagement from the very beginning."
Those agreements would set out conditions to ensure projects "are designed, managed and monitored to protect the environment, minimize disturbance and include Tsilhqot'in-led cumulative impact and cultural impact assessments," and provide jobs, training and resource revenues for the First Nations' members.
In addition, the 19-page policy document calls for site remediation plans and the creation of "streamlined and stable engagement and decision-making processes."
"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 remains in force in our territory, as they have since time immemorial," he wrote. "With our recent victory at the Supreme Court for title, we will continue to enforce Tsilhqot'in law throughout our territory."
Chief Russell Myers-Ross of the Yunesit'in, one of the member First Nations which make up the Tsilhqot'in Nation, said the goal is "to have proponents actually come through the door of the Tsilhqot'in Nation."
"We had the example of Taseko Mines, who showed us what not to do," Myers-Ross said.
"We need proponents and industry to begin showing a lot more respect for our people and our nation if they want to build partnerships in our territory."
Copies of the draft policy can be found online at http://bit.ly/1u4yfUI, and the Tsilhqot'in Nation will accept comments from the public, industry and government on the proposed policy until Sept. 30.
A spokesperson for the Mining Association of B.C. was not available for comment as of press time.
--With files from The Canadian Press
