Yesterday kicked off 4 days of general public hearings on the 'New Prosperity' mine proposal from Taseko Mines. Before the Federal Review Panel commenced just after 1pm yesterday - both sides, for and against, held its' own 'rallies' from 11am - 1pm
An official aboriginal welcome was held, led by Cecil Grinder, then a reciting of O Canada was led by mine supporter Lorne Doerksen and finally welcome comments by Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook and acting WL Indian Band Chief (Coun.) Willie Sellars and opening comments by the Panel Chair -- Bill Ross, the Panel heard from its' scheduled delegation including Taseko Mines, as the proponent and from others, like Lorne Doerksen, who has supported Taseko's proposal from 2010
Given the commentary from many -- it seemed to me that speakers' weren't necessarily addressing the Panel which can only consider the environmental aspect of 'New Prosperity' but were sending a message to Prime Minister Harper's cabinet who ultimately decides if 'New Prosperity' goes ahead. I didn't hear anything new said yesterday that wasn't said back in 2010 (need for project to go ahead for economic reasons) when Taseko was proposing then-'Prosperity' to Ottawa
Find below the media coverage from yesterday's proceedings:
Williams Lake Tribune:
The environmental assessment panel hearings for Taseko Mine Ltd.’s New Prosperity Mine got underway in Williams Lake Monday afternoon.
More than 350 people filled the Cariboo Memorial Complex’s Gibraltar Room.
Some of the crowd wore bright blue sashes, signifying their support of the project, while others, like Tsilhqot’in member Cecil Grinder, who led the First Nations procession into the hearings, wore regalia.
The First Nations sang and drummed three songs, including one in honour of Fish Lake. Once they were done, local GM manager Lorne Doerkson started off the singing of O Canada, to which several of the First Nations drummed along to.
After thanking the First Nations for the opening, panel chair Bill Ross said the panel is independent of the Government of Canada and has been appointed by the federal minister of the environment to conduct an environmental assessment of the proposed mine project.
Encouraging involvement and participation from everyone in the region, Ross said the panel will rely in part on the information it receives through the hearings.
“We also believe that it will be helpful to Taseko and other participants,” he said. “We recognize that the conclusions and recommendations that we will provide to the federal government will have an effect on the participants here today and of those who live in Williams Lake and surrounding communities.”
Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook welcomed the panel and said she is proud of the city’s relationship with local First Nations and the work done during the recent St. Joseph’s Residential School Commemorative Project.
“As a city and a region we have started the process of healing and reconciliation,” Cook said. “The leadership demonstrated by our First Nations people was an example for us all. We have done good work together and I’m committed to seeing that great work continue outside of and after this panel review process.”
Local governments have a duty to seriously consider all economic opportunities, Cook said.
“The New Prosperity project is the largest undeveloped gold-copper deposit in Canada and the seventh largest gold-copper deposit of its kind in the world.”
Acting Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Coun. Willie Sellars said stewardship is crucial.
“We support the right of First Nations and their leaders to protect their territory,” Sellars said. “I was at a fundraiser to protect Fish Lake last week and I noticed there were just as many non-First Nations as First Nations people. This suggests that there are many people critically concerned about the impact of the New Prosperity proposal.”
Sellars said First Nations populations are growing, language and traditional practices are being reinvigorated, but the heart of the people is still the land.
“We hope and pray the panel will act wisely and carefully,” he said and asked the panel to consider not only the economics and science, but the stories of the people who have inhabited the area since time memorial.
The hearings continue in Williams Lake until Aug. 1, followed by community sessions in First Nations communities.
The hearings will culminate with a closing remarks session on Aug. 23.
Ross said after the hearings the panel will prepare a report for the minister of environment and submit it within 70 days.
Welcome to Williams Lake - read here
Global BC - click here
Prince George Citizen - story on reclamation work ongoing at Taseko's 'Gibraltar' site - read here
Short video from Taseko Mines on Day 1 wrap:
Finally - today's Agenda (Day 2 of 4) for the General Session shall be:
1-5pm:
a) Opening Ceremony
b) Opening Remarks from the Panel Chair
c) Delegations:
1) Craig Benjamin - Amnesty International
2) Leonard Doucette
3) Joan Kuyek, TNG
4) Fish Lake Alliance
5) Chief Garry John - St'at'imc Chiefs Council
6) Ann Marie Sam - Nak'azdli Nation
7) Allan Roberts
Dinner break from 5-7pm
7-9pm Session
c) Delegations, cont
8) Dennis Christensen
9) Chief Bob Chamberlin & Marilyn Baptiste - Union of BC Indian Chiefs
10) Dr. Marc Pinkoski
11) Peter Gunville
12) Frank Dobbs
d) Taseko Mines response to delegations
e) Closing Comments from the Panel Chair
f) Short Closing Ceremony
g) Adjournment
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