The Gitxsan Huwilp Government is withdrawing its longstanding support for Seabridge Gold’s KSM mine in Northwest B.C.
The unanimous decision by Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs was delivered to provincial and federal government officials and Seabridge Gold on August 13.
The Gitxsan government says the decision was made in solidarity with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation, which has been seeking meaningful consultation over concerns about the proposed mine’s environmental and cultural impacts on its traditional territory.
Among those concerns is the proposed tailings facility, which Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha describes as a major toxic waste storage site near waterways relied upon by people and wildlife.
The move comes after a B.C. Supreme Court decision in June that revoked KSM’s Substantial Start Determination and ordered the Province to reopen consultation with Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha.
The court found the Province had not properly addressed information contained in an updated ethnohistoric report concerning the Nation’s traditional territory in the Treaty Creek Valley area.
The Gitxsan Huwilp Government says it had supported KSM since 2013, and its support has been cited by Seabridge as evidence of successful First Nations engagement.
Gitxsan leaders now say major projects need meaningful collaboration and shared decision-making with affected First Nations.
Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Chief Darlene Simpson welcomed the decision, saying support from neighbouring First Nations is meaningful as the Nation continues its efforts to uphold its responsibilities as stewards of its territory.
The Nation also says it is not opposed to development, pointing to its history of partnerships with the resource sector, but wants solutions that address its environmental and cultural concerns.
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