TILHQOTIN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

253 4th Avenue North - Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4 - Phone (250) 392-3918 - Fax (250) 398-5798

MEDIA RELEASE
December 12, 2017
Tsilhqotin Celebrating Federal Court Rulings
Court dismisses Taseko Mines Ltd.s challenges to
New Prosperity Panel Report and 2014 Federal Rejection

Williams Lake, B.C. The Tsilhqotin Nation is celebrating the Federal Courts dismissal of two judicial
reviews brought by Taseko Mines Limited (TML).

First, TML challenged the 2013 New Prosperity Mine Panel Report. Secondly, TML challenged the 2014
Federal rejection of the proposed mine and the constitutionality of the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act, 2012. The dismissals by the Federal Court uphold the Panel Report and the federal
rejection, and order court costs to be repaid to the Tsilhqotin.

The Tsilhqotin Nation have been through two Canadian Environmental Assessments (EAs) to protect
Teztan Biny (Fish Lake). The Federal Government, based on two scathing independent panel reviews,
rejected TMLs Prosperity Project and New Prosperity Project. Both proposed projects required extensive
involvement from the Tsilhqotin communities.

The Tsilhqotin Nation would like to thank the Federal Court for in effect upholding Article 26 of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The history of this mine proposal sends
a clear message across the continent that proposed projects should not move ahead without consent by
First Nations that the project impacts.

Quotes:
Chief Russell Myers Ross, Chief of Yunesitin and Director of the Tsilhqotin National Government:
The Tsilhqotin share gratitude in the conclusion of two fair judgements that serve as vindication to the
decades of struggle to protect Nabas and Teztan Biny. In my opinion, these efforts by Taseko Mines Ltd.
represents a waste of time and public money, and I believe it is necessary for this company to move on
from fantasizing about this destructive project. This area remains significant to our Nation and this conflict
is one reason why we have moved towards developing the Dasiqox Tribal Park to move towards a space
of reconciliation, reciprocity and consent.

Councillor Marilyn Baptiste, Councillor of the Xeni Gwetin First Nations Government and Director of the
Tsilhqotin National Government:
The Tsilhqotin hold great value in Teztan Biny and Nabas and their abundant resources. We are very
proud of our Elders, our Youth, our Leaders, and many friends and neighbours from all walks of life, who
sacrificed to protect this Tsilhqotin sacred site and cultural school. We welcome this decision as a
testament to those efforts. All levels of government need to continue to protect the lands and waters first
and uphold the UNDRIP.
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JR #1 (T-1977-13): Taseko Mines Limited v Minister of the Environment and others, 2017 FC 1099
(Federal Court Decision regarding TML Challenge to Panel Report)

JR #2 (T-744-14): Taseko Mines Limited v Minister of the Environment and others, 2017 FC 1100
(Federal Court Decision regarding TML Challenge to Federal Rejection and Constitutionality of CEAA 2012)

Media contacts:
Graham Gillies, Communications Manager
Tsilhqotin National Government
ggillies@tsilhqotin.ca