The topic today is about conflict between First Nations and Taseko Mining Ltd.

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First Nations chiefs have come together and made the decision announcing that a large area of Chilcotin will be recognized as a Tribal park. This is obviously an attempt to halt Taseko from opening a prosperity mine that could decimate entire ecosystems around the area. 

However, the description of what a “Tribal park” is vague and whether First Nations has the authority to declare such a large landmass as a protected area is still under question.  Furthermore, although granted 1,750 square kilometres of land west of Williams Lake, it doesn’t encompass the property of Taseko Mining Ltd. 

This is a clear threat to Taseko mining because if government rectifies the decision, then there will be nothing Taseko can do. Therefore, the only way out is to revise their plan so that it creates minimal damage and pollution. This has already been attempted but results still show that pollution will still be done to the lake, which in the long run will disrupt food chains and ecosystems.

The ethical debate arises whether or not a 1.1 billion dollar project for resources is a good enough reason to destroy cultural heritage and the local environment. Mining is a large scale operation that contributes to major world problems such as deforestation, causing global warming and animals to lose their natural habitats. However at the same time, the project will certainly boost the country’s GDP and economic activity.

Taseko’s best chance is with the law, as First Nations seemed to have declared land outside of their boundaries. Therefore, if the supreme court recognizes their property rights, there is a large chance that Taseko can continue their project. Taseko definitely does no want to publicize this as I am sure many of the local residents in Vancouver will disagree with such an operation. Negative publicity will only lower their chances with justifying it through the legal system

Personally, I believe that environmental preservation is an extremely important aspect of governing and because so, would disagree with Taseko’s mining project. As a student of UBC, where the university itself is built on Musqueam land, I strongly believe that the heritage of the aboriginals should be respected by everyone.  Therefore, I would urge Taseko Mining to find another location.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral+park+declared+Tsilhqot+includes+Prosperity+mine/10192766/story.html