The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) said they are raising the alarm about the B.C. Conservative Party platform in regards to First Nations issues.
Comprised of six communities located throughout the Tŝilhqot’in (Chilcotin) territory of B.C., the Tŝilhqot’in Nation is the governing body of the Tŝilhqot’in people.
In a press release from Oct. 7, TNG said the B.C. Conservatives will repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and the party's platform threatens progress on the climate crisis and establishing environmental protections.
"The path that the B.C. Conservatives has outlined for British Columbia is a path of conflict on the land and in the courts," stated TNG in their release.
They call DRIPA an "essential framework to hold B.C. to international laws and standards, to implement the human rights of Indigenous peoples in B.C., and to resolve long-standing conflicts in this province based on recognition and respect."
According to the B.C. Conservative platform on their website, however, the party promises strategic land return for economic empowerment and said the implementation and interpretation of DRIPA by the NDP has "stalled Indigenous-led development in industries like mining, forestry, natural gas and other sectors."
TNG said the B.C. Conservative party's platform also "seeks to streamline resource project permitting, favouring efficiency and simplicity over meaningful engagement and environmental oversight."
The TNG noted how Indigenous communities are often on the frontlines of resource extraction and stand to be the most directly impacted, but "everyone in the province loses from the legacy of contamination and environmental disaster that can result from “fast track” approvals for contentious projects," states the release.
The B.C. Conservative website, however, promises to streamline project approval processes "without compromising on the strong safety and environmental standards we deserve." The party promises to take immediate action to simplify permitting and said mining and exploration investment "will be welcome in B.C. again."
TNG has spent decades in court battles fighting against a proposed copper and gold mine at Teẑtan Biny (Fish Lake), put forward by Taseko Mines Limited. The project was granted environmental approval by the province for the proposed mine, despite objections by the TNG, however, the federal government eventually rejected the mine. The initial application by Taseko Mines proposed to use the lake as a mine tailings storage facility, near the headwaters of the Taseko River, which feeds into the Chilcotin River.
“Rustad’s platform should be deeply concerning for all British Columbians. History has shown that casting Indigenous peoples as adversaries is a far more difficult path than as allies, said Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair, TNG.
Alphonse warned the result of the proposed B.C. Conservative platform will be protracted conflict in the courts.
“Rustad was the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation when B.C. approved an extensive drilling program for Taseko Mines Ltd. on the last day in power of the former Liberal Government," he said, noting the result has been unresolved conflict between the TNG, Taskeo Mines and the provincial government.
“A true leader is one that is willing to work with First Nations across this province and uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples,” said Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Roger William, Xeni Gwet’in, adding he believes the NDP have shown they will do the hard work of working towards peace.
"NDP has my vote in this election," he said.
John Rustad, B.C. Conservative leader has not responded to a request for comment on the TNG release at the time of writing. The story will be updated if a response is provided.
