By Rob Smith
APTN National News
VANCOUVER–British Columbia is a tinder keg.
All eyes have turned to Ottawa awaiting the federal cabinet to decide the fate of the controversial Prosperity mine.
Some observers believe violence could erupt if the federal government approves the mine.
Prosperity mine, however, is one of many potential flash points threatening to flare up in B.C.
Over the past few months several mega projects have been proposed.
It’s a signal to chiefs that the Gordon Campbell government has opened the province for business and set it on a collision course with First Nations.
Of course the provincial government is involved…and of course the Indians of this province do have a veto power since they have never ceded their rights or title over to any government. Indians, according to the Royal Proclamation 1763 shouts to all the western world that Canada belongs to the Indians and until they cede their rights and title own their land and rights there in. This is an international proclamation that was infused into the Canadian constitution. Unless there was some agreement with the Indians to develop the land then whom ever is developing the land is breaking international law…if the crown does not want to live up to their end of the bargain with the 1763 agreement then perhaps the Indians should shop around…maybe the Russians or another country would like to. This agreement is not just here in Canada…the King of England in 1763 made it internationally known…is the crown in England liars like the federal government and provincial governments in this country?
It’s appalling that Taseko would use First Nations in such a manipulative statement: “If cabinet decides they’re not going to approve it, you have effectively said to the world that the First Nations do have veto over land use.” Taseko is driving a stake between the First Nations people and the rest of Canada. If there is civil unrest (if you can call it that) it is because of Taseko and their greed. If there is violence, Taseko will be responsible; they will have brought it upon themselves and the innocent people who are trying to obey Taseko’s orders. No one asked Taseko to mine that area, Taseko made the decision and a weak government is bowing down to Taseko’s demands. It simply boils down to protecting the land and water from unnecessary looting.nnThe fact of the matter is that it is wrong to destroy such a huge area of land whether or not First Nations are involved.