Aboriginal title declared on Jacko
Jacko Lake.
NEWS/ AJAX — Jacko Lake is a “culturally keystone” area that must be protected, say the Skeetchestn and Tk’emlups Bands.
Sunday, they will hold a joint ceremony at the lake declaring Aboriginal title to it, warning that the Ajax mine proposal can’t proceed without consent.
The two bands announced Wednesday that the Stk’emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation are declaring title at Jacko Lake and the surrounding area — known as Pipsell.
They say the area has significant spiritual and historical importance to the SSN.
“SSN asserts sovereignty and full control over SSN territory. By this political declaration, SSN hereby puts the provincial and federal governments on notice of its Aboriginal Rights and Title in Pípsell and of their responsibility to preserve SSN’s Aboriginal interests.”
The statement doesn’t express outright opposition to Ajax, but says, “The governments should stop their interference with SSN Aboriginal Rights and Title in this area. SSN will no longer stand by and watch the governments invade SSN territory and destroy a culturally keystone area where SSN continue to carry out traditional and cultural practises including an Aboriginal trout fishery on Jacko Lake.”
It says the original Ajax mine destroyed land without permission and the old Afton tailings pond puts its members and local residents at risk.
“The new project plans to continue the legacy of wrongs in the SSN’s territory by interfering with SSN’s Title and the right to decide the use and preservation of the land and resources for future generations. SSN’s sovereignty will no longer be ignored.
“All activities and developments on SSN Territory must be consistent with SSN Laws. No Project will proceed except with the informed consent of SSN.”
It said SSN will conduct its own assessment of Ajax.
A declaration of title will be held at the Jacko Lake boat launch Sunday morning at 9. Skeetchestn Chief Ron Ignace and Tk’emlups Chief Shane Gottfriedson will attend, as will Shuswap National Tribal Council Chair Wayne Christian and Grand Chief Richard LeBourdais of the Secwepemc Elders Council.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Right on target Marg!
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I am interested to know if anyone has historical pictures of Jacko Lake? Does Jacko Lake encompass the same footprint today as it did before the Tech mine operated on this site? Why was this not regarded as ‘spiritual lands’ at that time? I respect anyone who has morals and conviction but can we be honest with ourselves? Extortion is extortion plain and simple. Yes I said that out loud! Is it not time for the larger corporations being suddenly held hostage to ‘significant spiritual’ claims to stand up and say, rather than promising million perhaps billions to comfort the loss of ‘spiritual lands’ to a small select group of ‘Canadians’ this money could go into responsible stewardship to develop the natural resources that we all use! If the government is going to legislate the legalization of extortion I would rather they took the money and wasted it equally between all Canadians.
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Yes, I would love to see photos too. I was told that it was just a slough before it was dammed for irrigation.
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Some of the info I was looking for: http://www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/letters/203490831.html
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Its about time the local first nations stepped up and challenged this project. I am too hoping they realize that the destruction far out ways the benefits of having this mine over our heads. Our own politicians look like fools for sitting on their hands in this whole ordeal not educating themselves to the impacts of mining, especially ones so close to a city of 90,000. There is a place for it, just not within a few km. With the amount of water being drawn from the river/lake annually from this project and our reduced snow pack trend, its no wonder the first nations stepped up. I’m sure they don’t want to see the Thompson River into Thompson creek, which is shows they are concerned with all residents of Kamloops and all communities along the Thompson River Watershed, something our ridiculous city council is obviously not concerned about. As far as Jocko Lake is concerned, it doesn’t take a scientist to know that if you blast/excavate a massive hole by a water body, water will seep and drain(from the constant high energy blasting) to that lowest point, Jocko Lake will be a memory.
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Counting coup , First Nations used to show their bravery in the presence of enemies by counting coup ! A public display , Yatahay, it is a good day !
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The First Nations land and title issues raised by local Aboriginal leaders are complex and relate to issues both historic and contemporary involving many parties, including private landowners.
KGHM Ajax respects First Nations’ assertion of title and will continue to consult with area bands as we work through the environmental assessment process. The issues being raised are larger than Ajax, and involve questions of ownership and tenure that extend well past local borders. These are matters that have been outstanding in B.C. for decades.
We plan to work with all parties, including First Nations and governments, to the greatest extent of our ability to help bring resolution to these important concerns, at least with regard to the proposed Ajax Project.
KGHM Ajax remains committed to protecting and preserving Jacko Lake for the use and enjoyment of all.
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No surprise with this reponse…Looks like it was cut and pasted out of a text book for the Public Relations course 101. Who needs someone to write this when you can cut and paste it…..these folks can limbo under a snake.
Double speak just like a politician who is committed to values that are in concert with the environmental and social responsibility and balancing the needs of meeting First Nations historical and cultural values and the prosperity of the people of the heartland….oh my I can’t believe what I just wrote…please stop me from doing the limbo.
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I guess we’ll have to put the mine on hold until these decades old matters are resolved?
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The statement doesn’t express outright opposition to Ajax, but says, “The governments should stop their interference with SSN Aboriginal Rights and Title in this area. SSN will no longer stand by and watch the governments invade SSN territory and destroy a culturally keystone area where SSN continue to carry out traditional and cultural practises including an Aboriginal trout fishery on Jacko Lake.”
I wonder if Mr.Koopman from Ajax drafted this statement and had some of the mover and shakers of business community sign the statement …me thinks not.
This will get resolved by the parties entering into a profit splitting/ sharing arrangement.
When did this become a ” culturally keystone area” I thought it was a lake?
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With the stand of the two local Native Bands, local
Ajax and the Provincial Government have a challenge to get the Mine going. The courts are usually very supportive of Native Claims. The Chilcotin victory for the Band is a good sign that an agreement can not ignore Native Claims.
John Hart , Dept. of History TRU
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There are a lot of things that First Nations do that I don’t agree with, but holding the mine, and other unneeded projects, like pipelines at bay is not one of them.
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At some point KGHM execs will have to go to the Board of Directors and say: “we want to spend a billion dollars to develop a marginal mine right next to a city of 90,000 people on land subject to Aboriginal Title.” Can’t they think of a better project than this somewhere else?
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Sorry but people built their houses near a mine! Is that not like moving to the country and then complaining about the smell of maure?
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My house was built in 1980. Do you think the mine was there then?
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There was no indication that there would be a huge open pit mine there when I bought my house!
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I am impressed with the approach taken by the local First Nation’s Bands in regards to Jacko Lake and its designation as a “cultural keystone” How come Kamloops Lake is not also a “cultural keystone”? What does it take for a large or small lake in the region not to be a “cultural keystone”?
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Good question Lawrence. Especially since kamloops lake is a salmon fishing area for first nations.
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Mr. Beaton, your comments are considered clever in your own mind, however you seem to have difficultly in perhaps understanding the term destruction….maybe this is the reason why the First Nations are now acting in connection with Jacko Lake.
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Well, Liz, it was a simple question, do you not think that Kamloops Lake is also subject to destruction given the closeness of the New Gold Mine to the Lake or is this being too clever? I am really not overly concerned about being clever in my own mind. But thanks anyway.
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Mr Beaton, if not overly, then somewhat, or at least a little. Firstly, Kamloops Lake is not a lake really, it is part of the Thompson River and gets flushed daily. Also, it is roughly one hundred times greater in size than Jacko Lake, so with this new information does it help you to better understand why SSN is targeting KGHM and not the New Afton mine.
Secondly, SSN has financial agreements with New Gold worth $30,000,000.00 over the life of the Afton mine, now do you get ?
Please Mr Beaton, like all great teachers do, please focus on topic in the future, the fight is with KGHM, get it.i
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So, Kamloops Lake is not a lake and gets flushed daily? That will be news to quite a few people!
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Thanks, Liz, like all fantastic students, learn how to see arguments from both sides of the fence. We trust that it is a nice day at Jacko Lake and happy National Aboriginal Day. Looking at your comments, surely, you are not telling us that if KGHM and SSN can reach a financial agreement similar to New Gold plus employ a large of the workers at the mine that this would lead to an end to the difficulties between the two parties.
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A bit haughty, arrogant and dismissive with your answer, aren’t you, Liz?
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I hope that KGHM-Ajax respects aboriginal title as per Delgamuukw v. British Columbia (1997) and Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia (2014). KGHM-Ajax should immediately cease and desist all drilling, etc. currently ongoing at the site until meaningful consultation has occurred.
Let us hope this time the indigenous peoples’ rights are respected, unlike the way their rights were trampled in Skwelkwek’welt (SunPeaks).
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All I can say here is, I sure hope neither band can be bought. If it truly has “significant spiritual and historical importance”, there should not be a price that would make its destruction acceptable.
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Perfect, the marginal economics of Ajax Mines for KGHM just went in the toilet. Finally we can see real power at work! Go First Nations go!
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I hope that the First Nations consider all of us in their assessment. I am hopeful that they will do a much more robust assessment than the province given the work of other BC First Nations. You can’t breathe, eat or drink money!
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