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/CNW/ - First Nations will be forced to
defend Tsilhqotin rights, lands and waters in BC if the federal
government fails to do its duty and stop the proposed Prosperity mine.
BCs junior Minister of Mines, Randy Hawes, has been quoted to say that
no society will tolerate threats of violence. Chief Percy
Guichon of Tsi Deldel has said, What is not acceptable to Canadian
society today is the destruction of a traditional and cultural way of
life for the sake of profits. We are facing similar treatment by the
government and by Taseko Mines Ltd. as indigenous groups in
underdeveloped countries, said Chief Ivor D. Myers of Yunesitin.

In recent days there has been much effort to twist a comment expressed
at the CEAA Panel hearings by an elder of the Xeni Gwetin community who
gave vent to her frustration by saying she would show up in her
wheelchair with a shotgun if necessary to stop the mine from proceeding.
The leaders of the Tsilhqotin have listened to their community members
testify with tears that they are against this mine and will defend their
sacred lake.

If anyone has reason to fear aggression it is our people, said Chief
Marilyn Baptiste of Xeni Gwetin First Nations Government. It is the BC
Government and Taseko Mines Ltd. that are threatening our livelihood,
health, environment and our culture. We are merely standing up for
ourselves.

Chief Baptiste stressed that all First Nations are still hoping that the
federal government will do what the law and its duties and
responsibilities require it to do - honour the CEAA findings and reject
this mine.

We are fortunate to have the backing of BC and national First Nations
leaders, to take a stand to stop the mine from proceeding, said Chief
Baptiste.

In an ideal world the company would refrain from trying to move ahead
with destructive work until the TNGs two ongoing BC Supreme Court cases
are decided. However, in response to questions from investment analysts
on a July 6 conference call, the company stated that once it obtained
all its government permits, any issues re First Nations title and rights
would be the governments problem not the companys.

Given the lengths to which both the province and the company have gone
to promote this mine and to minimize the objections of our First
Nations, the environmental community and the CEAA review panel, we dread
to think what they will do to force their way onto our land should the
federal government give them the green light to do so, said Chief
Baptiste.

To view a video of our lake, visit: http://www.raventrust.com/projects/fishlaketeztanbiny/video-bluegold.html
>http://www.raventrust.com/projects/fishlaketeztanbiny/video-bluegold.html