Tsilhqot’in is set to declare the site of New Prosperity mine a tribal park at Fish Lake. However, this action is controversial. Taseko Mines Ltd.’s Fish Lake property lies outside the title area recognized by the courts, but the natives have now folded the mine site into the tribal park boundary.
There is no question that the court ruling confirms aboriginal title exists.It’s a constitutional and legal right.And the native people’s view is this is their sovereign territory and people going into the territory and applying for licenses of occupation or permits will have to go through the First Nations government.
As a result, how to build up and develop a win-win partnership becomes the key of the issue. Smaller-scale resource activities such as sustainable logging with portable mills may be suitable to provide employment for natives.Taseko’s gold-copper mine project was approved by the provincial government; however, it is twice rejected by federal panels and the federal government.
Even though Taseko changed its plans to preserve Fish Lake,it maintains the environmental review was badly flawed; saying it incorrectly assessed the project and its ability to prevent seepage from a tailings pond. Its legal challenge is before the Federal Court of Appeal, with a ruling possible before the end of the year.
From my point of view, it makes great sense to declare the tribal park for protection of the natural landscape, wildlife as well as the native culture. And the final decision is not closely related to the harmony and prosperity in the region, but also to maximizing environmental production.
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