News
Iskut Elders force Tahltan Central Council vote off reserve
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 2, 2005
(Iskut, B.C.)—Yesterday, Iskut elders and youth blocked the Tahltan Central Council (TCC) from conducting an industrial development ratification vote at the Iskut community hall. Eventually the unpopular TCC voting process moved to an “off reserve” location.
Many in the North, Tahltan interests included, see Nova Gold’s proposed mine at Galore Creek as perhaps the most feasible mining project for the region over the next 30 years. Nova Gold is seeking the approval of a Tahltan Participation Agreement that will give more certainty to the company’s investors, while the TCC seeks a mandate as the Tahltan governing body dealing with government and industry.
In Iskut at 12:00 noon, a group of concerned elders and youth advised the TCC’s hired polling officer, Raven Thunderstorm, that it was not in the interests of Iskut people for this poll to be conducted.
“We are being forced to sign an agreement with Nova Gold before the Environmental Assessment process for the Galore Project is even complete,” said Bertha Louie, TCC Director and Iskut Elder. “They only came to our community once with this agreement and then they expect us to agree on it—it’s too rushed.”
Tahltan members living in places such as Prince Rupert, Terrace, Smithers, Fort St John, Vancouver, and Whitehorse were told by the TCC that they could mail in their votes. Urban Tahltan no longer living within the Tahltan’s traditional territory outnumber the indigenous Tahltan by approximately six to one. Therefore, TCC administrators are quick to conclude the TCC no longer requires support from the people living on the land. The TCC alleges that all claimants of Tahltan ancestry who are 16 years and older can legally vote, since the Corbier court decision gave voting rights to off reserve aboriginals of blood descent.
A BC Environmental Assessment of the Galore project is not scheduled to begin until later in 2006, with permitting and construction timeframes 2007. The project could bring 800 jobs in the construction phase, followed by 500 during production. The TCC is subsidized by the BC government to participate in the Galore Creek environmental assessment process, as well as a final accommodation agreement process on all industrial development projects in the Tahltan region. However the transfer of decision-making powers from to the TCC from Band Councils and those indigenous Tahltan still depending upon traditional resources has not been concluded. There is a Tahltan moratorium on industrial development until internal governance issues have been settled.
For More Information Contact:
Rhoda Quock, Iskut 250-234-3023
