Chiefs’ concerns over Jacko Lake long-standing; also want Goose Lake protected

NEWS/ AJAX — A declaration of sovereignty over Jacko Lake Sunday by First Nations came after at least a year and a half of concerns being expressed to KGHM and the provincial government, letters obtained by the Armchair Mayor News reveal.

And, it isn’t just Jacko Lake they want to protect — Tk’emlups Band Chief Shane Gottfriedson and Skeetchestn Band Chief Ron Ignace are “vehemently” opposed to the destruction of nearby Goose Lake, which has been referred to by the mining company as a “slough.”

The declaration of aboriginal title over Jacko Lake, first reported in the Armchair Mayor News, was made by the two chiefs in their roles with Stk’emlupsemic te Secwepemc, which includes their two bands. About 60 people attended the ceremony.

In a March 15, 2015 letter to KGHM International Ajax CEO Marvin Mostowy, Gottfriedson and Ignace outline the cultural and spiritual significance of Jacko Lake. A copy of the letter and of a letter to the B.C. Mines Ministry dated April 23, 2014, were obtained by the Armchair Mayor News on the weekend.

Gottfriedson and Ignace are attending a ceremony at Jacko Lake today declaring title over the area and saying the lake must be protected.

The more recent letter, largely addressing issues arising out of the Fish and Aquatics Working Group, one of several committees involved in looking at the mine proposal, expresses concern about a KGHM proposal to de-water the northeast arm of Jacko Lake permanently in order to remove the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

“We do not support project designs that impact the loss of the entire Northeast arm of Jacko Lake. The planned mitigation measure proposed for fish alone is evidence that the pit activities will have significant impact on Jacko Lake from an ecological and environmental perspective,” says the letter.

“Jacko Lake and its surrounding area is a spiritual site of cultural significance. This site forms the basis for a foundational story for the Stk-emlupsemc people connected to Secwepemc spiritual beliefs and practises relating to Secwepemc existence in the current world, the world below (under the water) and the world above (the sky to the atmosphere).”

Trout from the Lake and root plants from the area played a significant role in the food economy of the Secwepemc, says the letter.

“We therefore request that KGHM provide to us a list of alternative project designs which will not result in this significant impact at Jacko Lake.”

It says the SSN is on record as far back as October 2013 opposing any test drilling near Jacko for spiritual and cultural reasons. Despite these concerns a permit was issued to allow test drilling, it says.

A letter from April 2014 to the Ministry of Energy and Mines describes Jacko Lake — Pisellkwel, or “(place of) small trout” — as being a significant spiritual site of the highest cultural importance and says exploration work would “lead to mining activities that would destroy Jacko Lake.”

The March 2015 letter asks for more information on the impact of the mine on several issues, and for information on the historic state of Jacko Lake prior to 1920. It also questions the need for diverting Peterson Creek.

The two chiefs also urge Mostowy to look at options to save Goose Lake. “Destruction of Goose Lake is not a viable project design decision that we will support,” the letter states. “We expect KGHM to take this concern seriously and request detailed descriptions of viable alternatives to destroying Goose Lake.”

They ask that the lake be included as a “value component” in the AIR/ EIS guidelines and that baseline data be provided. Goose Lake is slated to disappear under a tailings pond, and KGHM has bought up ranch properties around the lake.

The April 23, 2014 letter to the Mines ministry opposes issuance of a Notice of Work permit to KGHM Ajax until Stk’emlupsemic te Secwepemc has been meaningfully consulted and accommodated.

“Notice of Work contemplates over 800 pits and holes as well as blasting and the development of a 20 km. exploration trial as well as access roads, heli pads, large drill pads, air strips and boat ramps, blasting, exploration surface drilling, mechanical trenching and test pits.”

The declaration of title was held at the Jacko Lake boat launch with representatives of the Bands, the Shuswap national Tribal Council and the Secwepemc Elders Council attending.

Sunday was National Aboriginal Day.