Xatśūll First Nation near Williams Lake is calling for a halt to the mine permitting process for the Cariboo Gold Project until concerns over the project are addressed.
Xatśūll First Nation is located 20 kilometres north of Williams Lake and is one of 17 remaining Secwépemc (Shuswap) Nations. Cariboo Gold Project properties are located on several traditional First Nation territories including that of Xatśūll First Nation.
The nation announced on Thursday, Nov. 7 they would not provide their consent to Osisko Development’s Cariboo Gold Project until economic, environmental, cultural and health concerns related to the project are addressed.
“Xatśūll has acted in good faith in our discussions, and we will not stand down until we are treated respectfully as partners and acknowledged as Aboriginal title holders and decision-makers in relation to the Project, as we rightfully should be,” said Xatśūll Kukpi7 (Chief) Rhonda Phillips in a press release.
When asked for comment by Black Press Media, Osisko Development sent a press release later that day which said it was committed to developing a modern, safe and sustainable operation and is collaborating with Indigenous communities as partners. It said the mine permit application process involved a review committee with Lhtako Dené Nation, Williams Lake First Nation and Xatśūll First Nation, during which 1,800 comments were responded to, addressed and closed by the company.
"We must ensure the integrity of the permitting process is respected, because we believe the consultation on this project has been robust,” said Sean Roosen, the company’s chairman and CEO. “We stand by our record to date in meeting our obligations and expect the provincial government will act within its authority."
The project, which is located in the historical Wells-Barkerville mining camp, is expected to bring nearly 500 new jobs and produce about 1.87 million ounces of gold. Osisko Development has reached the permitting stage of the project and anticipates a response from British Columbia’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation by the end of 2024.
In October 2023, the Cariboo Gold Project received an Environmental Assessment Certificate which allows a project with potential environmental, social, economic, health and cultural effects to move forward while following certain conditions. Osisko Development said in a press release it successfully addressed 1,700 comments in the process of receiving the certificate.
However, Xatśūll First Nation withheld its consent, and said providing the certificate despite this is contrary to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Xatśūll told Black Press Media on Nov. 14 the nation expected to see their concerns addressed during the permitting process, but felt this was not meaningfully done so to-date and thus the nation would continue to withhold their consent.
“We emphasize that Xatśūll would like to see sustainable resource development in our territory, but it’s remarkable that in 2024 the Province and Osisko continue to barge ahead with this mine without our consent,” Phillips wrote in the press release.
She said the province is failing to regulate mining in Xatśūll territory in a responsible way, and the nation is asking the government to “immediately develop a consent-based decision-making process for mining activities” in its territory.
“If the permitting processes move ahead without addressing our concerns, any permits that are issued will be highly vulnerable to legal challenges,” Kukpi7 Phillips said.
Black Press Media reached out to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI) for comment. Due to the recent election which limits government communications at this time, EMLI could only provide background information.
“Government continues to engage with the Xatśūll First Nation regarding natural resource development in their territory,” EMLI director of communications Tania Venn wrote in an email to Black Press Media. “The province remains committed to timely statutory decision-making.”
David Karn with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy responded to Black Press Media’s request for comment on Nov. 12. He too could only provide facts during the provincial interregnum period, stating the environmental assessment process for the Cariboo Gold Project was thorough and took three and a half years to complete. He added it was the first project to be entirely assessed under the 2019 Environmental Assessment Act.
Xatśūll First Nation said the project poses a risk to the Barkerville Woodland Caribou herd which is designated as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act and is red listed by the province. It also raises concerns over the project’s impacts on Xatśūll members’ health and rights.
The release said the project could create poor air quality and contaminate traditional foods and water which may be ingested. The project may also prevent Xatśūll members from exercising their Aboriginal title and rights, which include fishing, hunting, gathering medicinal plants, and ceremonial practices, according to the press release.
Xatśūll First Nation added discussions with Osisko regarding an economic benefit agreement have been unproductive.
Kukpi7 Phillips emphasized the importance of negotiations and coming to an agreement with the nation by pointing to the ongoing impact of the 2014 Mount Polley mine disaster.
“Today many Xatśūll members are no longer able to fully or meaningfully exercise their Aboriginal title and rights, as physical disturbances in these areas disrupt essential rituals and seasonal gatherings, eroding Xatśūll’s profound connection to the land and their ancestors,” Kukpi7 Phillips said.
In its press release, Osisko Development said it has made reasonable efforts to reach an agreement with the nation over the past two years and has offered financial benefits similar to what was agreed to by other Indigenous communities.
“Our efforts have focused on providing meaningful benefits to all Indigenous nations, whilst ensuring the project remains viable,” said Roosen.
In response to Xatśūll First Nation’s press release, Lhtako Dene Nation sent a press release to Black Press Media on Nov. 8 reiterating its position on the project. The nation highlighted its collaboration with the provincial government and an environment consulting firm, stating its decision was “not only educated, but from the heart.”
The Lhtako also said it has been working with Osisko for many years on projects in its territory, including the Cariboo Gold Project which it said is in its core territory. According to the release, Osisko is supporting stewardship initiatives which involve Lhtako. The resulting Stewardship Society has supported collared caribou tracking and salmon fry release.
Xatśūll First Nation and Osisko Development remain in negotiations.
This article has been updated from the original with comments from Lhtako Dene Nation and from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
