“They wanted to put the open pit right by the lake. And we said, no way!”
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Stand with Salmon People
Today Lake Babine Nation is holding a special ceremony to celebrate the migration of millions of baby salmon to the ocean. As they do every year, the Lake Babine people send baby salmon off with song, drumming and feasting. Kids line up to release their own smolts, reared at the Lake Babine fish hatchery.
Threatening this abundance of life, and the Indigenous culture that depends on it, is a proposed open-pit mine in the heart of Lake Babine territory at the headwaters of the Skeena River.
For the past 10 years, Lake Babine Nation has been fending off a proposal by Pacific Booker Minerals to build a gold/copper mine less than 100 feet from the shore of pristine T’ak Tl’ah Bin (Morrison Lake).
“They wanted to put the open pit right by the lake. And we said, no way!” -
Chief Wilf Adam, Lake Babine Nation
As part of its normal operations, Morrison Mine would discharge treated mine effluent into this lake, in perpetuity. The lake is home to approximately 1.4 million genetically unique sockeye salmon.
The BC government rejected the mine back in 2012 but Pacific Booker Minerals wouldn’t give up. They obtained a court order that gives them the opportunity to trigger a “Further Environmental Assessment.” Sound familiar?
Even though the company hasn’t yet taken any steps to initiate the Further Assessment, on its website the company claims that the mine is “in the advanced stage of development.” For Lake Babine Nation, the hammer might fall at any moment. When it does, as this video shows, Lake Babine will be ready.
“We protect our salmon. That’s our first priority.” - Chief Wilf Adam, Lake Babine Nation
Like and share the video to show your support for Lake Babine Nation.
For the salmon,
The RAVEN Team
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