Open Letter To Minister On Canada's National Day Of Action

Published by MAC on 2007-06-29

Open Letter to Minister on Canada's National Day of Action

PO Box 2310
Prince George, BC V2N 2J8
Telephone: 250-564-9321
Fax: 250-564-9521
To: Honourable Barry Penner
Minister of Environment
PO Box 9047 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9E2
June 29, 2007

Dear Minister Penner,
As the Takla Lake First Nation's newly elected Chief and Council, we are writing to the Province of British Columbia to state that our position on the proposed Kemess North Mine has not changed. We are here to protect our sacred and pristine watershed, which includes Amazay Lake, from the destruction of mine development. Northgate Minerals Corporation has plans to turn it into a massive contaminated dump. Amazay Lake will not be sacrificed for the benefit of profit.

The Kemess North Joint Environmental Review Process is an example of an unacceptable process that continues to extinguish our constitutional right. This environmental process, that you are responsible for, is a procedural exercise that frustrates First Nations and denies our responsibilities as rightful stewards of this land. When all the gold, copper and timber is gone, we will be here living with the contamination and the legacy of mines and other destructive developments.

On this day of awareness and action, we want to show our support for our neighbors the Nak'azdli First Nation as they begin to deal with the same issues that our Nation has been dealing with on the environmental process for Kemess North for three years now. We support the efforts they have taken to develop a joint review process that respects our collective constitutional rights.

Originally Signed By:
Chief Dolly Abraham
Takla Lake First Nation
cc. Grand Chief Gordon Pierre, Tsay Keh Dene
Chief Johnny Pierre, Tsay Keh Dene
Chief Donny Van Somer, Kwadacha First Nation
Chief Leonard Thomas, Nak'azdli First Nation