First Nations release ‘clear mining policy and rules’ for central BC

first nations Cariboo Chilcotin Region mining rules policies British Columbia

Four First Nation groups from around the Williams Lake area released today their own set of mining rules to apply to all existing and proposed mining projects within its traditional territory.

The group is comprised of the Xat’sull, T’exelc, Tsq’escen’ and Stswecem’c/Xgat’tem First Nations. The four claim a traditional territory of over 5 million hectares in the Cariboo and Chilcotin region of central British Columbia, the Secwepemc Nation.

The Secwepemc Nation is comprised of the Canim Lake Indian Band (Tsq’escen’); Stswecem’c/Xgat’tem First Nation; Soda Creek Indian Band (Xat’sūll); and Williams Lake Indian Band (T’exelc),

Authors of the document say policy will cover everything from staking a claim to commitments to clean up old mine sites. The policy, however, does not override BC laws.

“With this mining policy we can no longer be ignored or imposed upon, and the Province and industry can no longer claim they do not know how to work with us – this document spells that out in clear, specific terms,” says Chief Sellars of the Xat’sull (Soda Creek), in a news release entitled First Nations Establish Clear Mining Policy and Rules for Resource Companies.

The news release was published on the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council’s Facebook page.

Read the policy below.

[gview file=”https://mining.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014-11-19-NStQ-Mining-Policy-Approvedv4-1.pdf” height=”800″ width=”600″ save=”1″]

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