Resolution in Support of SSN Decision Regarding Pipsell and Ajax

At the April 24^th 2017 TRU Faculty Association Annual General Meeting a resolution regarding the proposed Ajax Mine was passed almost unanimously. In passing this resolution, TRUFA affirmed its full support and endorsement of the SSN decision to not give its free prior and informed consent to the development of the lands and resources at Pipsell (Jacko Lake and Area) for the purposes of the Ajax Mine Project.

To this end TRUFA will:

• Sign on to the declaration of allies and issue a public statement that it fully supports and endorses the SSN decision, including through newspaper ads;
• Support and encourage its members to support SSN and the Secwepemc people in their efforts to ensure a healthy people and environment;
• Call on the federal and provincial governments to not consider any mining applications before their environmental impact assessment processes and the provincial mining regime have been fully reviewed and aligned with indigenous decision-making processes.
• Commit to sharing this resolution with other union locals and provincial and national unions encouraging them to also endorse the SSN decision and recognize indigenous peoples as decision-makers regarding access to their lands and resources.

For the full wording of the Resolution please see below.

TRUFA RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SSN DECISION REGARDING Pípsell (Jacko Lake and Area) AND THE PROPOSED AJAX MINE PROJECT

WHEREAS the Thompson Rivers University ne Secwepemcul’ecw is located in the unceded territory of the Secwepemc People.

WHEREAS Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association (TRUFA) recognizes the Secwepemc People as decision-makers regarding access to their lands and resources.

WHEREAS Secwepemcul’ecw is the largest indigenous territory in British Columbia, title to which is collectively held by the Secwepemc People. Their territory is also subject to many mineral tenures which have been granted without the consent of the Secwepemc People.

WHEREAS Pípsell (Jacko Lake and Area) is a profoundly sacred, culturally important, and historically significant keystone site of fundamental and undiminished significance to the Secwépemc people.

WHEREAS the Stk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation (SSN) are yecwemínem (caretakers and stewards) of Pípsell, and conducted the most comprehensive assessment regarding the proposed Ajax Mine project in the immediate vicinity of Pípsell.

WHEREAS the SSN assessment considered Secwépemc Resource Use, adverse impacts of the proposed mining development from dust, on water quality and quantity, on food sources and the seasonal round and the Secwépemc way of life, Secwépemc Title and Rights and self-government.

WHEREAS on March 4, 2017 the SSN announced their decision not to not give its free prior and informed consent to the development of the lands and resources at Pipsell (Jacko Lake and Area) for the purposes of the Ajax Mine Project.

WHEREAS the TRUFA Human Rights committee already signed on to the Declaration of Allies in support of the SSN decision.

WHEREAS the provincial and federal governments have failed to conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed project. The federal government is currently in the process of revising the Canadian environmental assessment legislation which was greatly diminished under the Harper regime. The provincial government has been heavily criticized for lacks in its environmental, mining and enforcement regimes, relying heavily on flawed information by the proponent and self-regulation, resulting in disastrous outcomes like the Mount Polley Tailings Pond Breach.

WHEREAS despite the SSN decision the federal and provincial government reopened their environmental assessment process regarding the proposed Ajax Mine project, aligning timelines and processes.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT TRUFA recognizing the Secwepemc People as decision-makers, hereby fully supports and endorses the SSN decision to not give its free prior and informed consent to the development of the lands and resources at Pipsell (Jacko Lake and Area) for the purposes of the Ajax Mine Project.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT TRUFA will sign on to the declaration of allies and issue a public statement that it fully supports and endorses the SSN decision, including through newspaper ads.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT TRUFA will support and encourage its members to support SSN and the Secwepemc people in their efforts to ensure a healthy people and environment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT TRUFA will call on the federal and provincial governments to not consider any mining applications before their environmental impact assessment processes and the provincial mining regime have been fully reviewed and aligned with indigenous decision-making processes.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT TRUFA commits to sharing this resolution with other union locals and provincial and national unions encouraging them to also endorse the SSN decision and recognize indigenous peoples as decision-makers regarding access to their lands and resources.