Xatśūll First Nation says it is “very disappointed” in the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals for permitting the Cariboo Gold Project without the nation’s prior consent.
In a press release dated Nov. 21, Xatśūll noted the ministry did not meet with the nation, on whose territory the project operates in Central Interior B.C., prior to approving the permit.
The nation said it would consider its legal options in response to the permit, which provided without their consent counters the government's commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
“The government must honour its commitments and truly collaborate with Xatśūll in a respectful and inclusive manner and in alignment with UNDRIP," noted the release. "That means immediately moving to consent- based decision-making with Xatśūll in relation to major permits and authorization for mines in our Territory.”
Xatśūll said it would like to see sustainable resource development in its territory but will only provide consent for the Cariboo Gold Project once outstanding concerns are appropriately addressed in a meaningful way.
Xatśūll First Nation is located 20 kilometres north of Williams Lake and is one of 17 remaining Secwépemc (Shuswap) Nations.
Cariboo Gold Project properties in Wells, B.C. are located on several traditional First Nation territories including that of Xatśūll First Nation.
The permitting process began in October 2023 after an environmental assessment certificate was issued for the project, prior to which Xatśūll First Nation sent a letter of non-consent to the province. The province responded to Xatśūll’s non-consent letter by explaining how the nation’s concerns would be addressed throughout the permitting process, but the nation continued to withhold its consent because there remained outstanding issues with water management and quality.
Nevertheless, the government issued an environmental assessment certificate, making the Cariboo Gold Project the first to be entirely assessed under the new Environmental Assessment Act, brought into force in 2019. In a letter explaining their decision, the ministers responsible for issuing the certificate wrote they believed the nation was comfortable with the approval of a certificate for the project.
“Xatśūll sent an additional letter indicating that they do not oppose the Project,” it wrote after stating it met with the nation to hear its perspective. “With this additional discussion and commitment to Xatśūll, we are of the understanding that Xatśūll is comfortable with the issuance of a Certificate to Cariboo Gold,” the letter writes.
On Nov. 7 Xatśūll called for a halt in the permitting process until the nation’s outstanding concerns were addressed.
When asked why the nation continues to oppose the project, Xatśūll told Black Press Media it was “led to believe” outstanding issues would be addressed in the permitting process.
“However, after working through those processes over the past year, we are not satisfied that our concerns have been meaningfully addressed,” the nation wrote, adding it never did provide its consent.
