Chiefs to declare aboriginal title of Ajax mine site – Kamloops This Week

June 18, 2015

One of two band chiefs who will declare aboriginal title at Jacko Lake in a ceremony Sunday said it would be “irresponsible” to approve another mining project on land with great cultural and environmental significance to Shuswap people.

Tk’emlups and Skeetchestn Indian bands released a statement this week saying Ajax mine development cannot proceed without their approval. They and other Shuswap leaders and community members will hold a declaration of title ceremony at Jacko Lake — Pipsell in the Secwepemc language — Sunday at 9 a.m.

In the strongest statement yet, Tk’emlups Indian Band chief Shane Gottfriedson said the land around the lake is connected to an oral history of the area called the Trout Children and band members continue a fishery tradition at the lake.

There are deep reservations about sustainability and risks, including the amount of water it will use, the threat to Jacko Lake and permanent damage from a tailings pond — a facility that could harm the Adams Lake salmon run in a disaster like that at Mount Polley mine last year.

Read More: http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/chiefs-to-declare-aboriginal-title-of-ajax-mine-site/