The commitment to protect and defend Teztan Biny/Fish Lake and Nabas/Little Fish Lake and the cultures and wildlife that depend on the ecological integrity of these lakes and watersheds, is growing at an astounding rate. In solidarity with the Tsilhqot'in National Government and the Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government and with all those who recognize the value - beyond gold! - of these areas, we continue to stand up to corporate voices that seek to drown out our voices.
This is also now a national issue, high on the agenda of MiningWatch Canada and the Council of Canadians.
On April 30, 2010, the Panel hearings for Taseko's proposed Fish Lake Mine in the Chilcotin closed to further submissions. Today, May 3rd, the Panel is listening to the last of the closing arguments. They now have 60 days to make their recommendation to the federal government.
Once again, we want to thank everyone who donated so generously to our plea to get the necessary people to the Panel hearings in Williams Lake. Your donations made possible noted bear biologist Wayne McCrory's submission to that Panel. It was profoundly important that the members of the Panel hear Wayne's expertise in this area and learned from his on-the-ground experience in the Nemaiah Valley.
So, we are pleased to remind you about:
1. BEARS AND HORSES AND FISH
Wednesday, May 5th, 7:00 p.m. at the Garry Oak Room in Sir James Douglas School - 1335 Thurlow Rd. and Moss St., Victoria.
Join renowned bear biologist Wayne McCrory for a talk about the threatened Chilcotin grizzly bear and the effects of Fish Lake Mine on grizzly bears and other wildlife. Wayne's presentation before the federal hearings Panel was a comprehensive analysis of the detrimental effects on terrestrial wildlife this mine would bring with it. No one else was able to bring these concerns forward so thoroughly.
Wayne will also talk about the Chilcotin wild horses and give an up-date on research on the DNA testing program and horse culls.
Wayne's presentation is based on work done for the Friends of the Nemaiah Valley and the Valhalla Wilderness Society. It will also include information on an exciting joint initiative between FONV, Valhalla Wilderness Society and First Nations that will see a new Central B.C. protected area equivalent in size to the Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast.
Both Wayne and David Williams (FONV President) will be able to discuss the Panel hearings and their impressions and where we go from here.
Admission is by Donation.
2. THE GET OUT MIGRATION
On Friday, May 7, Alexandra Morton will be in Sidney at the Mary Winspear Center at 7:30. Doors open at 7:00 and admission is by donation.
In solidarity with Alexandra Morton and www.salmonaresacred.org FONV recognizes the vital importance salmon spawning waters and is supporting the Get Out Migration.
The Get Out Migration is a call to action to make government aware that we want wild salmon to take higher priority than farm salmon. Farms belong on land. Alex started walking from Sointula, at the north end of Vancouver Island, on April 23 and will arrive in Victoria May 8. Hundreds of people have pledged to walk portions of the trip; there are events under planning every night.
On Friday, May 7, Alexandra will be giving an evening presentation about her reasons for rallying the public around wild salmon. She'll share her experiences about her journey on the Migration and her hopes for the next day's rally in Victoria at the Parliament buildings.
A table will be set up at the event with art supplies for people to build flags, banners, posters etc. for the march into Victoria the following morning. For ideas on what you can do, see here: http://salmonaresacred.org/what-you-can-do
Don't let our B.C. salmon become a casualty of open net aquaculture or the Fraser River salmon run become a casualty of an open pit mine.
***If you are able to volunteer with FONV at this event, please email info@fonv.ca ***
3. Fighting for Lakes, Water & Rights
Panel presentation on defending Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and the rights of communities.
Thursday, May 27th @ 6:30 pm, The Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Ave., Vancouver
By donation, sliding scale from $5 to $20, no one turned away.
The panel:
- Presentations from the Tsilhqot’in Nation on their struggle to defend Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and the rights of their nation and communities.
- Rex Weyler, cofounder of Greenpeace International and editor of the Greenpeace Chronicles, on challenging the fundamentalist logic of economic growth and consumerism.
- Maude Barlow, the National Chair of the Council of Canadians, on the fight to defend lakes across the country and the broader struggle for water justice around the world.
Vancouver-based Taseko Mines Ltd is proposing to drain Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) in order to stockpile ROCK waste and use Fish Creek and Little Fish Lake as tailings impoundment areas for a gold-copper mining project called Prosperity Mine. Teztan Biny is home to an estimated 85,000 rainbow trout. The Tsilhqot’in have lived in the area for thousands of years. They oppose the environmental destruction being proposed by Taseko Mines and were not consulted by the Province of British Columbia when it approved the project.
The Tsilhqot’in Nation filed a writ in B.C. Supreme Court claiming an Aboriginal right to fish in the area that they have never ceded to the Province. The claim, if successful, will prevent Taseko Mines Ltd. from developing its proposed Prosperity Project, 125 km southwest of Williams Lake. Additionally, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's federal review panel that has traveled to communities throughout the territories was given a clear message that the Tsilhqot'in and their supporters in Williams Lake are saying no to the project. However, given that the voices of communities are often ignored in favor of business interests of the applicant we need your support to save Teztan Biny.
The logic of allowing "economic growth" to cause ecological destruction needs to be challenged and the destruction of pristine fresh water lakes is simply another reason why. Water is a common resource. The rights of communities to protect water that they depend upon for their very basic needs and cultural traditions must be prioritized over the profits of a mining company.
Join us on May 27th and join the fight for lakes, water and community rights!
This event is being organized by the Surrey-White Rock, Vancouver-Burnaby and Delta-Richmond Chapters of the Council of Canadians.
For more information please call 604 688 8846 / email cathwi@telus.net or karinjohnson_@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Pat Swift
info@fonv.ca
www.fonv.ca
Contributions to support FONV (an all volunteer organization with no paid staff!) and our projects can be mailed to:
FONV
1010 Foul Bay Road
Victoria, B.C.
V8S 4J1
We depend on your support.
