Judge tells Taseko hands-off Teztan Biny/Fish Lake
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
PAOV
Have you heard the great news? On Monday, the BC Court of Appeal granted an injunction to stop Taseko Mines Ltd. from conducting any exploratory works at Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and surrounding area.
This reprieve came literally at the 11th hour. After the federal government lost its injunction application earlier this summer, Taseko was firing up its engines to start excavating at this sacred lake that the Tsilhqot’in have fought to protect for a decade.
What the Tsilhqot’in have had to go through with this mine is frankly Kafkaesque. The drilling permit was issued as a ‘goodbye’ present to Taseko by the outgoing BC Liberal government. Not only is Taseko tying up the Tsilhqot’in in ongoing appeals, trying to overturn the federal rejection, it is also aggressively pursuing an “exploratory” drilling program after the mine had already been rejected by the feds.
This company keeps pushing the boundaries: but we’re pushing back.
“We continually have to go to court to protect our cultural and spiritual sites. These areas should be off the table for any kind of invasive development. While this injunction grants a temporary relief from extensive drilling and exploration work, we are still calling on the BC Government to step in and put a full stop to this drilling permit.”
Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse,
Tribal Chairman, Tŝilhqot’in National Government
Thankfully, the RAVEN community is there to back the unshakeable commitment of the Tsilhqot’in Nation.
While the injunction gives the Tsilhqot’in and Teztan Biny some breathing space, the court battles continue.
Veterans of many court victories - from the landmark Tsilhqot’in title case to successfully fighting off Taseko for nearly a decade - the Tsilhqot’in need and deserve our full support so they can turn their energies to building a sustainable future for their Nation.
RAVEN is raising $100,000 to ensure they have a strong case. Are you in?
Susan Smitten, Ana Simeon, Laurie MacKenzie + the rest of the folks at RAVEN
p.s. We have a super short window to raise the needed funds for the appeal. Please share this campaign with your network.
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