Tsilhqot'in Declare Creation of First Tribal Park!

Tsilhqot'in Declaration of Tribal Park!

by FONV

Hello all Friends of "Friends of the Nemaiah Valley";

1. We are very excited to let you know about the notice sent out today by the Tsilhqot'in National Government. It marks a historic development in the process of protecting Tsilhqot'in lands which we at FONV have dedicated ourselves to for the past fifteen years.

This is a dream about to become reality, thanks to the vision and dedication of inspired Tsilhqot'in leaders.

The FONV board, volunteers, staff and professional advisors and consultants have worked tirelessly with Tsilhqot'in governments to bring about a form of protection for magnificent wildlife habitat and sustainable livelihoods for Tsilhqot'in communities. The result is the Dasiqox Tribal Park - Nexwagwez?an (meaning “there for us”).

Nexwagwex?an follows upon and has evolved from several great victories over the past decade. These include the "?Elegesi Qayus Wild Horse Preserve" declaration of 2002, the Vickers decision that found aboriginal title and rights had been proven to Tsilhqot'in lands in 2007 (and also entrenched the rights of Tsilhqot'in people over the wild horses), the defeat of the first Prosperity Mine proposal in 2009, the second defeat of the so-called “New Prosperity" mine in early 2014, and most recently the Supreme Court of Canada decision that recognized Aboriginal Title and Rights in a decision that has changed Canada forever.


Please join us in celebrating this historic event!



The ICCA Consortium is an international association dedicated to promoting the appropriate recognition and support of "Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Areas and Territories" in the regional, national and global arena.

The totem pole is a gift from Nuu-Chal-Nuth master carver Tim Paul in recognition of the Tsilhqot'in peoples' fight to save Teztan Biny. The pole symbolizes creation and the struggle to protect the salmon and preserve the rivers. As the poster says, this is truly a "joyous and historic occasion".

2. In other news, the 22nd Brittany Gathering was held in August. This was also a Nations Gathering with all the Tsilhqot'in chiefs in attendance including Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the UBCIC. FONV's Tribal Park co-ordinator, Dawn Hoogeveen and community liaison worker Jessica Setah-Alphonse spoke about their work in supporting the creation of the Dasiqox Tribal Park in alliance with the Chiefs and Xeni Gwet'in liaison worker Margaret Lulua.


Dawn Hoogeveen, FONV President David Williams,
Jessica Setah-Alphonse


As Chief Russell Myers-Ross of Yunest'in said, "....government will try to reduce the authority of First Nations.

“The stakes are high for both sides. This land is here for us and we need to make a transition plan. We want to do a better job of managing the land than the Crown has done. We have a better vision." (A write -up of the Gathering by Sage Birchwater can be found HERE.)


Information re Tribal park presented at the Brittany Gathering

3. As you know, Taseko Mines Ltd. has lodged two judicial reviews following on their failure to get federal approval for the "New Prosperity" open pit gold and copper mine. The first challenged "certain Panel findings and the Panel's failure to comply with principles of procedural fairness" while the second asked the federal court to set aside decisions by the CEAA, the Minister of Environment and the Governor in Council because of "a failure to observe the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness."

Subsequently, TML has requested that these two reviews become one civil action suit: “Conversion of a judicial review into an action is appropriate when it is necessary to address the remedial inadequacies of a judicial review, such as the award of damages, when the facts allowing the court to make a decision cannot be satisfactorily established through affidavit evidence alone,” Brian Battison (TML Vice-President) said.

Chief Roger William of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government said the only respectful and responsible course is to finally acknowledge that New Prosperity is not a viable project, and called on Taseko to withdraw the court actions and leave the Tsilhqot’in in peace.

“Our elders and youth are tired of being an afterthought in this company’s plans,” William said. “The Tsilhqot’in welcome the opportunity to focus our attention elsewhere, on environmentally and culturally acceptable projects.”

Taseko’s application will be heard in court in October and if granted will then proceed to a hearing.

4. A reminder that FONV depends on your support to continue our research and other work. All financial contributions are very gratefully accepted! You can donate via Paypal or send a cheque to:

Friends of the Nemaiah Valley
1010 Foul Bay Road
Victoria, B.C.
V8S 4J1

Cheers
Pat Swift for the FONV Board
info@fonv.ca