Xatsull First Nation calls for new gold mine project near Wells to be halted

The Xatsull First Nation issued a news release today (Thursday) calling on the provincial government and Osisko Development to halt the Cariboo Gold Project near Wells until its concerns are addressed.

Xatsull says ongoing negotiations regarding the proposed new underground gold mine near Wells have not productively progressed, and it is calling for consultation and cooperation as partners to obtain its informed consent before proceeding further with the project, which is located in Xatsull Territory.

Chief Rhonda Phillips says “It’s not the 1980’s anymore and by failing address the very serious issues raised about this project, the province and Osisko are neglecting to uphold their commitments to reconciliation and to implement the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act (DRIPA), or the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act,(UNDRIP).”

There are four major concerns:

1. Negotiations with Osisko in relation to the development of an economic benefit agreement have been unproductive for months, with very minimal progress having been made despite significant efforts from Xatsull:

2. The project will cause negative impacts upon caribou, further threatening the survival of the Southern Mountain subspecies of the Barkerville Woodland Caribou herd which is designated as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act and is red listed by the Province:

3. The project would significantly worsen the existing, ongoing cumulative effects loading and unjustified infringements of Xatsull’s Aboriginal title and rights, preventing members from exercising their Aboriginal Title and rights such as fishing, hunting, trapping, harvesting plants and berries, gathering medicinal plants, habitation and ceremonial practices: and

4. The project will have negative impacts to the human health and spiritual and cultural well-being of Xatsull members due to risk of exposure to contaminants through ingestion of traditional foods and water and inhalation of poor air quality. Additionally, the resulting loss of access to cultural sites disrupts the transmission of knowledge from elders to younger generations, undermining community bonds and weakening cultural cohesion.

Chief Phillips says Xatsull would like to see sustainable resource development in its territory, but says it’s concerns must be addressed first.

“It’s remarkable that in 2024 the Province and Osisko continue to barge ahead with this mine without our consent, contrary to DRIPA and UNDRIP.”

The news release from Xatsull also indicates that legal challenges are possible if the permitting process moves ahead without addressing the concerns that have been raised.

It also says the Supreme Court of Canada noted in the Tsilhqot’in case that “if the Crown begins a project without consent prior to Aboriginal Title being established, it may be required to cancel the project upon establishment of the title if continuation of the project would be unjustifiably infringing.”

Chief Phillips adds that “Likewise, Project approvals will also be at risk if Xatsull brings a Blueberry River infringement claim against the Province based on the cumulative effects from industrial developments the Province has authorized.”

Phillips closes by saying that “Xatsull 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.”

– Files from George Henderson, My Cariboo Now staff