Urgent World Water Day Gathering with the Tsilhqotin this Friday
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- Published on Wednesday, 20 March 2019 04:32
- Written by editor
Dear PAOV,
This World Water Day, we have urgent business.
Today, in Tsilhqot’in territory, Taseko Mines intends to begin an extensive drilling and road building program. Arrogantly ignoring Indigenous voices raised in alarm over the risk to their sacred sites, land and water, the company have refused to hold off on their work until the Tsilqot’in Nation’s injunction hearing is held on March 22.
The Tsilhqot'in are calling on supporters to come out this Friday in Vancouver to a rally outside the BC Court of Appeal at 8:30 am. Bringing sacred water from Teztan Biny, leaders and elders will hold a ceremony at the courthouse in advance of a hearing to determine whether their injunction to stop “exploratory” drilling and road building will succeed.
If you are not in Vancouver you can still support the Tsilhqot'in Nation's access to justice by making a donation here: https://fundraise.raventrust.com/give/152727/#!/donation/checkout
Of the importance of Fish Lake to his people, Xeni Gwet’in Chief Jimmy Lulua says “We have fought to keep that place how it is today and how it will be seven generations from now. We always ask permission from the land.”
The exploration permit will dig up an area to create 70 kilometres of roads and 122 test pits. Though the mine has been rejected — twice — by the federal government, a drilling permit was issued by the outgoing BC Liberals.Now, the Tsilhqot’in Nation is applying to the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal, arguing the area of the proposed mine is a site where they have proven Aboriginal rights to hunt, fish and trap.
Please join the Nation at the court house or contribute online to the ongoing costs of litigation so Taseko can be stopped once and for all.
With love,
RAVEN team
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