We end up with no simple answer --- but that should be no surprise

The Common Sense Canadian website, which I think most would agree has opinions leaning more to the left, has added a new feature called “Your Voice”.  It’s an opinion / editorial (op-ed) blog for the environment and public interest.

“Why Culture Matters: Prosperity Mine's Impacts on the People and Land of the Nemaiah Valley” by David Williams (a member of Friends of Nemaiah Valley) is the first op-ed piece to be shared in it.  After reading it, there were a couple of comments which I added.  First though, here are the words of David Williams about the Prosperity Mine, which is proposed for the Chilcotin region of British Columbia.

Earlier this week, we at Friends of the Nemaiah Valley (FONV) heard that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) has agreed to conduct an environmental assessment of Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML) proposed “New Prosperity” mine application in Tsilhqot'in territory.

This unfortunate decision is misguided for many reasons. This is the third try by TML to develop this mine, one of the largest gold/copper deposits in British Columbia. It was turned down twice in the recent past because the environmental consequences would be too great. Even by Taseko's own admission during hearings last year, this “tweaked” proposal, then known as Option II, would have even worse environmental consequences than the one rejected by the federal government.

While there are environmental reasons to reject this mine – it is in prime grizzly habitat, will destroy a large rainbow trout population, and threatens large salmon runs that are part of the Fraser River fishery – it is the impact it will have on the local Xeni Gwet'in community in the Nemaiah Valley that I want to focus on.

Picture a “camp” of up to 600 miners placed into a remote First Nations Community that is still largely dependent upon the land for sustenance and identity. This camp will be in place for up to 35 years.  250 Xeni Gwet'in, the People of the Rivers, live in the Nemaiah Valley alongside a small settler community of about fifty people. The latter operate small ranches, run wilderness lodges, fish, hunt and trap, and just like the way of life that prevails here.

Prosperity Mine proposal shot down again.

"The Tsilhqot'in view Taseko Mines Ltd.'s so-called "New Prosperity" proposal as equally dangerous as the first"   Read the full story -- click HERE

Well no sooner did the people at Taseko Mines put forward a new proposal to try and get approval for the Prosperity Mine project, west of Williams Lake, than First Nations leaders with the Tsilhqot'in shot it down.

I personally believe it is pity and a shame they would turn this project down point blank. Call me whatever you want, however it is hard to see that any thought has gone in to the future well-being of First Nations People.

Without opportunities such as the one a project like this would offer, they will continue to sit on the sidelines of society -- instead of being side by side -- and getting out of the emotional, physical, and financial poverty they have been in for far too long.

Would most individual First Nations people in the Chilcotin be in support of the project???  It's hard to know because there is probably a strong likelihood individuals may fear reprisal or retaliation if they speak in favor --- or wish to at least explore the opportunity of having the project go ahead.

Rich Coleman and the BC Liberals take political double speak to new heights

Just months after BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark blamed the federal government for the collapse of the Prosperity Mine project at Fish Lake, her minister responsible for mines and energy, Rich Coleman, has an interesting choice of words to now describe consideration of the project.

Rich Coleman has taken political double speak to new heights … read on

“Before anything happens with Prosperity Mine, I think we have to build a strong relationship with the Tsilhqot'in”  

"They're a very passionate, wonderful people and they really believe in their rights in that area of the province,I actually agree with them."

"When I became the minister I made a point of saying I'm not going to put the Tsilhqot'in into a box where they're going to have to make decisions,"

"Right now I'm not even having a conversation about Prosperity,"

Coleman faults the proponent of the Prosperity project, Taseko Mines … “I think, quite frankly, the proponent here didn't do a great job of that, to be honest with you."