Nov. 9, 2004 letter from 5 1st Nations to CEO Stowe:
5 Nations
Fort Connelly First Nation
Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap
Kwadacha First Nation
Takla Lake First Nation
Tsay Keh Dene First Nation
Mailing Address: 200-1460 Sixth Avenue, Prince George, B.C. V2L 3N2
Facsimile: 250-562-8206
November 9, 2004
Ken Stowe
President and CEO
Northgate Minerals Corp.
18 King St. East
Suite 1602
Toronto, Ont.
M5C 1C4
VIA FACSIMILE: 416 363 6392
Dear Mr. Stowe,
Re: Support for Sustainable Development
The 5 Nations have made a final decision to oppose the use of Duncan/Amazay Lake as a site for mine tailings and waste rock because of the enormous and irreversible damage it will cause to the lake and surrounding environment. The use of this lake as a waste area for your proposed Kemess North mining project was unanimously rejected. This decision was directed by the Chiefs and grassroots membership.
Yesterday, after a lengthy discussion with representatives from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office, and the Ministry of Energy and Mines it was brought to the attention of the Chiefs that government and Northgate are still uncertain if this lake could be used for your project. During your initial meeting in Prince George on July 30th, 2004 at the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council office the Chiefs clearly stated their opposition to the destruction of their lake. We have been asked to set the record straight that the unanimous decision is to protect this highly valued area – Duncan/Amazay Lake cannot be used as a tailings and waste rock alternative.
With the above said, the 5 Nations are agreeable to review the other 15 options that you propose in your documentation. The 5 Nations commit to participate as a government in the proposed tripartite panel review and work with the federal and provincial governments to draft the terms of reference for the project.
The 5 Nations are not opposed to economic development within their territories provided it is achieved in a sustainable manner that accommodates their concerns and interests. Opportunities still exist to continue discussions on the Consultation and Accommodation Procedures – General Provisions that we anticipate will lead to a document to guide all present and future development in their territories. We foresee that a mutually beneficial relationship will result from these continued discussions.
We await your written response to us in a timely manner.
Yours truly,
_____________________
Justa Monk, Spokesperson
_________________________
Fred Patrick, Bear Lake People
_________________________________
Rena Benson, Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap
____________________________________
Chief Emil McCook, Kwadacha First Nation
__________________________________
Chief Janet West, Takla Lake First Nation
_______________________________________
Chief Johnny Pierre, Tsay Keh Dene First Nation
pc:
Grand Chief Edward John and Dave Porter, First Nations Summit
Hon. Stephane Dion, Federal Minister of Environment
Hon. Geoff Regan, Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Hon. Richard Neufeld, Provincial Minister of Energy and Mines
Hon. George Abbott, Provincial Minister of Sustainable Resource Management
Hon. Bill Barisoff, Provincial Minister of Water Land and Air Protection
BC First Nations
Bob Connelly, President, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Joan Hesketh, Deputy Minister, BC Environmental Assessment Office
Sheila Wynn, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Mines
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