PLEASE WATCH AND SHARE! On behalf of the Klabona Keepers, member Loretta Nole and supporters Hannah Campbell, Emma Campbell and Mitch Stookey delivered a personal eviction notice to the Vancouver office of Firesteel Resources Inc. Here is a short video from the event! The letter reads: Attention: Michael Hepworth President & CEO - Director RE: Cease and Desist Order of all mineral exploration activities at ROK Coyote on, under, and above Tahltan traditional territories. Klabona Keeper Elders hold roles and responsibilities in upholding Tahltan beliefs, customs, values, and laws for future generations. Elders work towards putting forward and maintaining our aboriginal cultural concepts, knowledge, sense of place, and the use of our lands, waters, and resources, based on our ancestral culture and connections from past to present generations. For millennia, Klabona Keeper Elders have protected their homelands and way of life in the Klappan area, and in particular over the last decade, from gas fracking, coal mining development, and resident hunting issues. There is a lack of initiative to build solutions regarding the territory and resources base. Klabona Keeper Elders note little relationship between Tahltan communities, the BC Government, and third party developers such as Firesteel Resources in a way the respects and works with our Aboriginal rights and title. Tahltan have an intricate cultural relationship to their lands, resources, and environment. This long-standing relationship encompasses social, cultural, spiritual, economic, political, and legal dimensions, as well as connections to the environment. Tahltan Aboriginal title is based on and informed by the Tahltan people’s special attachment or relationship to the land. Tahltan hold constitutionally protected rights. The law requires potential adverse impacts on those rights to be taken into account and any infringements to be justified. Since 2004, Klabona Keeper Elders have actively protected their homelands and their Aboriginal title and rights from infringement by BC government tenured industrial development. These mining and gas development situations are due to BC government legislation such as the Mineral Tenure Act and the Coal Act, along with the free entry system policy, operating in conjunction with online staking. There is much room for improvement as these Acts and policies currently contribute to inadequate consultation and accommodation with the Klabona Keeper Elders and communities. Obligations to the Tahltan are not honoured and Tahltan title and rights are marginalized and eroded. Major adverse effects from mining development that we have witnessed include: • Large amounts of helicopter traffic that drive the animals away; • New access roads constructed; • Disturbance of special areas to which Tahltan wish to exercise their constitutionally protected rights; • Brushing aside and/or marginalizing Tahltan Elders and community concerns; • Creating unrest and divisiveness in the community due to issues concerning free, prior, and informed consent. BC government has fallen short regarding their efforts to reconcile Tahltan interests. These efforts are viewed as part of the wider effort to colonize and assimilate Tahltan into Euro-Canadian society, which has failed with disastrous results. The spectrum of Section 35 constitutionally-protected aboriginal rights, confirmed by Canadian courts, has established the legal foundation for direct participation by Tahltan in the protection, management, allocation, and benefits of their resources and way of life within the territory. It is important to note that the duty to consult, and where appropriate, accommodate, is part of a process of fair dealing and reconciliation. The Tahltan have never relinquished or surrendered Tahltan title and rights to the lands and resources within Tahltan territory; we continue to occupy and use the lands and resources and to exercise existing title and rights within the territory. The Tahltan have an inherent right to govern themselves and their territory according to their laws, customs, and traditions. As such, Klabona Keeper Elders have standing and responsibility to speak to the issues brought forth with your mineral exploration activities. Firesteel Resources Inc. has already been told to leave the territory twice this summer after drilling without consultation or consent; we invited you to a meeting at the end of August to discuss the matter and no associate showed up to do so. The drill has shown that its cuttings are overflowing into a small lake that feeds in to Eddontenajon lake, the Tahltan’s primary area for trout fishing throughout the year. After careful consideration of your situation, it is our responsibility and honour to demand you Cease and Desist all mineral exploration activities at ROK coyote on, under, and above Tahltan traditional territories. However, we require firstly that you meet with our elders to ensure our demands are not taken lightly this time. Accordingly, please contact me at your earliest opportunity so that we may schedule a face-to-face meeting regarding our Cease and Desist demand and provide you a brief cultural educational training opportunity. Respectfully, Rhoda Quock Spokesperson
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 23:51:47 +0000
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