Technology has greatly improved global connection. Why, then, are parts of our society still having difficulty communicating and collaborating with each other ? How does lack of communication affect big business and small communities ?

This article describes the Tsilhqot’in declaring land for the New Prosperity mine, to be developed by Taseko Mines Ltd., a Tribal Park. Based on this piece of news, any person or business wanting to develop or use the land would have to get a permit from the First Nations in the area. A similar issue is the development of the Northern Gateway Pipeline and its affect on residents in British Columbia, most notably in the Bella Coola area. These two issues are clear examples of situations where all partners involved have not been included and properly informed in the development plans of big businesses.

In the case of the New Prosperity mine, it is clear there is a lack of communication and collaboration between the company and the local First Nations. Brian Battison, vice-president of corporate affairs for Taseko, said he “[doesn’t] really know what it [the tribal park] means” and doesn’t appear to know much at all about the First Nations’ declaration, despite being a major leader for the company. As well, British Columbia’s Communications officer, Leanne Ritchie, released a statement saying the province had “not received details of the tribal park”.

How can we, the citizens of B.C., expect positive development throughout the province if key players such as Taseko and the provincial government lack basic communication and collaboration skills ? It is should be expected that Taseko would first approach the First Nations and residents of the Chilcotin with their plans for development and collaborate to create a plan together that does not affect the residents negatively. Instead, Taseko is forced to postpone any immediate plans they had for New Prosperity mine and work with the people of the Chilcotin and the provincial government on resolving this issue. This is something that could have been avoided if Taseko partnered with the residents, key stakeholders in the project, before it became a concern.