"The Tŝilhqot'in Nation is at spiritual war with Taseko Mines, which has for over two decades been trying to build what would be the world's largest copper and gold mine at a sacred elevated lake the Nation knows as Teztan Biny. Though the mine has been rejected twice at the federal level, they have the green-light on a drilling program, forcing the nation back to court to seek an injunction."

Read the full story here: www.nationalobserver.com/2019/03/21/t…water-rights

Tŝilhqot'in Spiritual War

Michelle Myers and Chief Russel Myers Ross of Yuneŝit'in, are two clean energy leaders in the Tŝilhqot'in Nation with strong visions for the future. Myers believes renewable energy aligns with her people's values and connection to the land while Chief Ross has played a major role developing the Dasiqox Tribal Park, an area protected for Tŝilhqot’in traditional laws to be upheld and enacted. 

Read the story here:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/03/28/clean-energy-aligns-who-we-are-indigenous-people

Tŝilhqot'in Nation Clean Energy

Chief Francis Laceese shares some stories, at home in Tl'esqox reserve, known as 'Toosey Indian Band.' Laceese has been a protector, considered a 'fighter' by some, his entire life. He's a part of the Tŝilhqot'in nation, the only nation in Canada to have won 'Aboriginal title' in the Supreme Court. In their negotiations with the province and feds, Chief Laceese said he isn't afraid to remind them of the history of germ warfare, of the genocide against his people, and of the ongoing assault big industries wage against his people. Here's a short clip of an interview from Mar. 14, 2019.

Chief Francis Laceese talks about a history of genocide and resilience

Edmond Lulua, Tsilhqot'in, from the North end of Chilko Lake, speaks about the perfect day, and everything at risk with mining activity in his territory. 

"The reason I don't want the mine to go through, is we're going to lose all of our food."

The Tsilhqot'in nation, the only nation to have proven 'Aboriginal title' in the Supreme Court of Canada, has been fighting to protect land and waters from mining activity for the last 30 years. Read more on the story here: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/03/21/tsilhqotins-spiritual-war-protect-land-water-rights

Edmond Lulua talks about the perfect day and need to protect the land for food

"In 1914, our chiefs and elders spoke of a period 300 years into the future," Enns told National Observer. "At that time, elders realized resources were being harvested too quickly, so they cast 300 years into the future..."

Eli Enns talks about chiefs and elders casting themselves into the future

Eli Enns describes where the name 'tribal park' has been articulated over the years. 

Photo of the late Chief Robert Martin Sr.

Eli Enns reflects on the Meares Island Tribal Park - 35 years later

Eli Enns, from the Iisaak Olum Foundation, said supporting Indigenous Tribal Parks is an act of reconciliation.

Eli Enns explains what 'appropriate recognition' of Indigenous sovereignty could look like

As a part of the First Nations Forward podcast series, reporter Emilee Gilpin interviewed La'goot Spencer Greening in his home in Prince Rupert, B.C. Greening, from the Tsimshian community of the Gitga’at First Nation (Hartley Bay), has worked professionally with his community for a number of years.  Greening is currently a Ph.D. student in the faculty of environment at Simon Fraser University, where he studies the relationship between Gitga’at traditional ecological knowledge, language, and history in the context of Indigenous resource management. He has also been recognized as a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar, from 2018-2020.

SG- FNF

La'goot Spencer Greening on Indigenous laws and stewardship

First Nations Forward op-ed by Managing Director Emilee Gilpin : How Indigenous-led climate leadership will protect all life on earth.

First Nations Forward Podcast

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