"The Tahltan Nation supports responsible and sustainable development; however, we feel that CBM development is advancing without full and complete information or an established and agreed upon framework for decision-making that respects and recognizes Tahltan Title and Rights," says Annita McPhee, Chair of the TCC. "This suspension will provide our Nation the time it needs to be well informed on all issues relating to CBM. We must be fully informed of the potential challenges that come with its development to ensure they align with Tahltan laws and values." The TCC calls on the provincial government to invest in capacity building in the northwest.
Marie Quock is the Chief of the Iskut band and represents the community closest to the proposed development. "Today's announcement is welcome in our community," says Chief Quock. "This project has challenged our people because, while we need employment and to achieve our economic goals, we also need to protect our land and heritage and ensure that development in our traditional territory is sustainable for generations to come." Today's announcement comes after years of advocacy by the Tahltan Nation and others to the government and will enable the Tahltan Nation to fully explore resource management issues including land use planning, environmental baseline studies, social and cultural impact studies and eco-systems mapping prior to development.
The Tahltan Nation includes on and off-reserve Tahltans living in Telegraph Creek, Dease Lake and Iskut. There are over 3,000 Tahltan members living across the country and who's traditional territory encompasses 11% of British Columbia. Over 50% of all mineral exploration in the province takes place in the Tahltan Nation's traditional territory.
SOURCE: Tahltan Central Council
on this announcement please contact: Annita McPhee, Chair, Tahltan Central Council, Cell - (778) 229-1264, annitamcphee@gmail.com, Tahltan Central Council (www.tahltan.org), Box 69, Tatl'ah, (Dease Lake, BC), V0C 1L0, Phone (250) 771-3274, Fax (250) 771-3020

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