[van-announce] Update... [ June 16th ] Protest at Taseko Mines Ltd. AGM to Defend Fish Lake!

[harjap]

*** UPDATE: included below is a press release issued yesterday by The 
Tsilhqot’in National Government:
*B.C. Government Treats Aboriginal Rights as Meaningless; Tsilhqot’in 
Nation Denounces Long-Term Lease for Taseko
*

*** Chief Marilyn Baptiste will be joining protesters at the Taseko AGM 
tomorrow.
****


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Defend Fish Lake!
*Demonstration outside the AGM of Taseko Mines Ltd.*

Tell Harper and Taseko that we don't want Fake Lakes!

*Wednesday, June 16th @ 12:30 pm
837 West Hastings Street
(Between Hornby and Howe)*

*Taseko Mines Ltd.* is having its Annual General Meeting on June 16th, 
in Vancouver. The company is currently seeking regulatory approval from 
the federal government to destroy Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), while 
developing their proposed Prosperity Mine. The copper and gold mine is 
proposed to operate in the heart of Tsilhqot'in territories, south-west 
of Williams Lake, BC.

The Tsilhqot'in Nation have clearly and collectively said ‘No’ to a 
project which would jeopardize a sacred site of great cultural and 
historic significance. The Tsilhqot'in communities have not given 
consent to the Prosperity Mine project that will be in an area of proven 
aboriginal rights as determined in the Supreme Court of B.C. Secwepmec 
communities have also expressed opposition to to the development of a 
power line needed to develop the mine through their territories. The 
Canadian Government continues to refuse signing the UN Declaration on 
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The possible approval of the 
Prosperity Mine clearly demonstrates the federal and provincial 
governments’ ongoing violation of the rights of indigenous communities.

An estimated 85,000 rainbow trout will have their habitat destroyed if 
Taskeo’s project goes ahead. Given the threats to the watershed and the 
need to protect slowly depleting sources of fresh pristine water 
everywhere, we must continue stand up to Taseko and all levels of 
complicit government. While Stephen Harper builds artificial lakes in 
downtown Toronto to impress the international attendees of the G20, 
Taseko is proposing its own fake "prosperity lake" to compensate for the 
destruction of Fish Like. Come tell Harper and Taseko that we don't want 
their fake lakes! Join us for a demonstration outside of Taseko's AGM 
and let's be the uncertainty for their investors!

*For more information please email: hgrewal at canadians.org or call: 604 
340 2455*

This demonstration is endorsed by the Council of Canadians, Friends of 
Clayoquot Sound, Friends of the Nemaiah Valley, Indigenous Action 
Movement, MiningWatch Canada and Respecting Aboriginal Values and 
Environmental Needs (RAVEN).

/If you would like to endorse this action please email 
//hgrewal at canadians.org/ <mailto:hgrewal at canadians.org>

------------------------------------------------

*B.C. Government Treats Aboriginal Rights as Meaningless; Tsilhqot’in 
Nation Denounces Long-Term Lease for Taseko*

June 14, 2010, Williams Lake – The Tsilhqot’in National Government 
angrily denounced the provincial government’s decision to grant Taseko 
Mines Ltd.(TML) a long-term mining lease for its proposed open-pit mine 
at Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), an area where the Tsilhqot’in Nation holds 
proven Aboriginal hunting and trapping rights.

“B.C. is essentially saying our proven rights are meaningless,” said 
Chief Marilyn Baptiste, of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, one of the six 
Tsilhqot’in communities that comprise the Tsilhqot’in Nation. “The 
Province is handing Taseko long-term property rights to lands where we 
are actively exercising our proven Aboriginal hunting and trapping 
rights – before it is even known whether Taseko’s project will be 
approved or rejected by the federal government.”

Federal approval is far from certain. During recent public hearings held 
by a federal environmental review panel, the Tsilhqot'in Nation actively 
opposed the project, which would destroy two lakes of profound cultural 
and spiritual significance, with elders, members and even school 
children describing the unfathomable loss that this destruction would 
mean for their communities and traditional way of life. The federal 
panel is due to issue its report and recommendation on July 2nd.

“During those hearings, our Nation, people from Williams Lake, 
environmental organizations from across the country and a number of 
eminent scientists warned the Panel that this mine will cause untold 
damage to the Tsilhqot’in culture and to a complex ecosystem,” says TNG 
Tribal Chief Joe Alphonse of Taseko’s plan is to drain the pristine, 
trout-bearing Fish Lake and dump waste rock there. “Even federal 
agencies said that Taseko’s plan to destroy Fish Lake and Little Fish 
Lake didn’t meet their guidelines. It’s a black eye for British 
Columbia. It’s hard to find anything good to say about it.”

The Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) called the decision to issue 
the 25-year renewable lease “disrespectful.” Chief Alphonse: “There is 
still a need for Tsilhqot’in endorsement to operate with the Tsilhqot’in 
traditional land. The Tsilhqot’in National Government does not feel that 
we have been adequately consulted.” TNG has written to Jody Shimkus, the 
Chief Gold Commissioner, recommending the decision be rescinded.

The issue of allowing mining companies to use lakes as garbage dumps for 
mining waste is now a national issue. On June 4th, the Sandy Pond 
Alliance – a coalition that includes the Council of Canadians, 
MiningWatch and other eNGOs – launched a court case against the federal 
government contending that the regulation currently used to authorize 
the destruction of lakes for mining purposes is unlawful.

*On Wednesday, June 16th, there will be a protest at 12:30 pm in 
downtown Vancouver at the Taseko Mines Annual General Meeting. The rally 
at 837 W. Hastings Street has been organized by Council of Canadians in 
support of the fight to defend Teztan Biny (Fish Lake).*

-30-

For more information, please contact:
Chief Marilyn Baptiste
Xeni Gwet’in First Nation
t. 250.394.7023
c. 250.267.1401