The Tsilhqot’in First Nation has declared a 3,120 square kilometre area of their territory a tribal park. Dasiqox Tribal Park will be a protected area for grizzly bears and spawning salmon. Large-scale mining and clear-cut logging will not be allowed within the park. Notably, the site of Taseko’s proposed New Prosperity gold-copper mine is included within this park which will be officially designated on October 4.
Despite the Supreme Court of Canada ruling on Tsilhqot’in title and the federal government twice rejecting the mine, Taseko vice-president Brian Battison has commented, “We really don’t know what that means when that declaration is made by some local First Nations.” Taseko is currently challenging the federal government’s rejection of the mine at the Federal Court of Appeal. A decision from that court may come by the end of this year.
A Vancouver Sun editorial, while critical of the Tsilhqot’in action, notes, “Tribal parks are not recognized legal entities but have been designated in the past, as in 1984, when the Tai-o-qui-aht established four such parks in Clayoquot Sound. They continue to exist.”
Some hope has also been expressed by the Friends of the Nemiah Valley that the province may join with the Tsilhqot’in to jointly manage the sovereign territory in a way similar to the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park, which was established in 1995.
The Council of Canadians celebrates Dasiqox Tribal Park and extends its solidarity to the Tsilhqot’in peoples. We actively opposed both Taseko mine proposals and supported the Tsilhqot’in in the landmark Supreme Court hearing on title to their lands as outlined here.
