| | Int'l Wayside signs MOU with Lhtako Nation
International Wayside Gold Mines Ltd IWA
Shares issued 38,454,998 Jul 5 close $1.15
Thu 6 Jul 2000 News Release
Mr. J. Frank Callaghan reports
On June 8, 2000, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the
Lhtako (Red Bluff) Nation in regard to the Cariboo gold project. The Lhtako
claim that the project falls within its traditional territories in British
Columbia. The Lhtako people are part of the Interior Salish linguistic
group. Salishan is spoken from the central B.C. coast to northwestern
Oregon and in the Fraser and Columbia drainages.
Unlike the remainder of Canada, Aboriginal land claims in British Columbia
remain for the most part unsettled. There are presently 42 First Nations in
the British Columbia Treaty Consultation Process, representing about
two-thirds of the 197 bands in B.C. The Lhtako Nation is affiliated with
the Carrier-Chilcotin Tribal Council which is not part of the current
federal/provincial treaty settlement process.
Aboriginal rights and treaty rights are recognized and affirmed under
Section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act of 1982. Additionally, the 1997
Supreme Court of Canada Delgamuukw judgment confirmed that Aboriginal title
does exist in British Columbia, and that when dealing with Crown land, the
government must consult with and may have to compensate First Nations whose
rights may be affected.
The purpose of consultation by the company is to assist the federal and
provincial governments in ensuring that, prior to treaty settlement, the
project will not adversely affect potential Aboriginal rights and title. To
this effect, an Aboriginal impact assessment is being commissioned by the
company to support its application under the B.C. Environmental Assessment
Act.
The company and the Lhtako have been meeting on an ad hoc basis since 1997.
While details of the MOU remain confidential, the document reflects the
recognition and respect that has evolved between the parties, and their
future commitment in working together in the assessment of the Cariboo gold
project. |
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