First Nation in B.C. says mining operation is taking place on sacred grounds – BC | 24CA News
An Indigenous First Nation in northwest B.C. is demanding {that a} Vancouver-based mining firm cease working on its territory.
The Tahltan Central Government stated it has knowledgeable Doubleview Gold Corp. that the land that it’s working in is sacred as its ancestors had been born and are buried within the space, which is situated northwest of Telegraph Creek.
“We’ve basically just been disrespected (and) continually ignored,” stated Chad Norman Day, Tahltan Central Government’s president.
“The activities year after year have continued despite a consistent message from us, all levels of our government, and our elders, that it’s not acceptable.
“We’re going to really start digging our heels in now and put a stop to it.”
The Tahltan Nation stated it has repeatedly tried to precise its considerations to the corporate however has not had significant discussions.
Global News has reached out to Doubleview however the firm has not responded to repeated requests for remark.
According to Doubleview’s web site, its Hat Project spans 5,200 hectares the place the corporate is exploring for gold, copper and different minerals.
The challenge can also be reportedly situated in Taku River Tlingit First Nation’s territory as nicely.
Global News has reached out to the Taku River Tlingit First Nation for remark.
Day stated with how the state of affairs has unfolded, the Tahltan Nation has little alternative however to publicly converse out towards the challenge, with the intention of getting it fully shut down by subsequent summer season.
“We’re not going to have an open pit mine, or any kind of mine, around an area where our ancestors are buried,” he stated.
“We might take authorized steps. There are individuals saying that they may exit to the challenge on the bottom and take motion. We don’t need to be making threats, and entering into conflicts.
“We want to work this out in a good and respectful way but make no mistake, there are a lot of Tahltan people, and the Tahltan government is willing to come together and take all steps necessary legally and otherwise to have our concerns heard and to protect this area for future generations.”
The Nation can also be calling into query the tens of 1000’s of mineral claims on its territory which have been staked with out its consent.
A spokesperson for the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon stated in an electronic mail, “British Columbia is dedicated to working carefully with the Tahltan Central Government and Taku River Tlingit First Nation on considerations they’ve raised relating to the HAT challenge.
“Currently, the province is also engaging in joint efforts with both nations to develop modernized land use strategies and initiatives to address their concerns, respect their rights and title, and contribute to a world-class mining regime in their collective territories.”
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