Comment from Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of UBCIC
As part of Christy Clark's campaign to lead the BC Liberal Party, Ms. Clark has publicly stated, if elected, she would strongly encourage Prime Minister Harper to overturn the federal decision to reject Taseko Mine's proposed Prosperity Mine.
"Ms. Clark's shameless pandering for Liberal delegates support serves her political aspirations and does not serve the majority of British Columbians who share the environmental values reflected in the federal independent panel's decision," said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. "The federal panel and federal environmental assessment process took the time to hear the many concerns of Tsilhqot'in Elders, women, families and leaders about the land, water, fish and wildlife."
The UBCIC Chiefs Council passed Resolution no. 2010-32, Support for Tsilhqot'in Nation and Call for Federal Rejection of the Proposed Prosperity Mine at the Union of BC Indian Chiefs Annual General Assembly on September 2010. Similar resolutions of full support have been endorsed at the Assembly of First Nations, BC Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Summit.
"Ms. Clark's self-serving efforts to popularize the message, in essence 'drill baby drill', Ms. Clark utterly fails to acknowledge the vast level of support the Tsilhqot'in and Esketemc have across British Columbia, Canada and overseas. Such statements demonstrate Her complete contempt for the constitutional, judicially-recognized and internationally enshrined Title and Rights of Indigenous Peoples," concluded Grand Chief Phillip.
For further information: http://www.ubcic.bc.ca
