The Tŝilhqot’in won another legal victory in its protection of Teẑtan Biny, but the fight isn’t over yet. We need your help. Make a donation to the legal fund today!

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation celebrated yet another legal victory that has once again prevented a massive drilling program at Teẑtan Biny in support of the rejected New Prosperity Mine. However, this victory is only temporary, and will require the Nation to advance a costly trial against Taseko Mines Ltd. and the Province of BC over infringement of Aboriginal rights. This trial could take several years and millions of dollars – putting a huge strain on this small Indigenous Nation.

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation has long been a leader in advancing Indigenous Rights in Canada and the world. Sadly, they are once again being forced to fight in the courts again, this time to protect a very special place called Teẑtan Biny (Fish Lake), a centre of Tŝilhqot’in culture. Teẑtan Biny is threatened by one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines, which would bury Tŝilhqot’in homes, graves and a fish-bearing lake under a massive tailings pond.

The Canadian government has rejected this project twice – first in 2010, rejecting the Prosperity Mine – and again in 2014, when they said “no” to a redesigned version of the mine. Both times, the impacts on the rights of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and the environment were large factors in the rejection of the mine.

Despite all this, Taseko Mines Ltd. won’t leave the Tŝilhqot’in in peace. In 2017, the company was issued a drilling permit from the BC Government to prepare the rejected New Prosperity Mine for construction. It would mean industrializing the area around Teẑtan Biny in support of a project that cannot be legally built. We can’t stand by this assault on the Tsilhqot’in’s home and way of life. For that reason they Nation are going to court.

Please help us to protect and preserve these sacred lands by making a donation today, and consider becoming a monthly supporter as this trial continues.

Thank you for your support – we can’t win this fight without you.
Sechanalyagh! (Thank you!)