Editor:
People of William’s Lake:
You don’t share your future with the people on the panel board, or the lobbyists or stockholders of Taseko Mines: You share your future with the Tsilhqot’in.
Your grandchildren will marry theirs. You are related.
The precious land of the Tsilhqot’in territory, and its sacred healing water are being protected for future generations. In cherishing them and guarding them the Tsilhqot’in have done and will continue to do a service to all humanity.
Access to a pristine natural refuge, the opportunity to know wild nature and be in contact with unaltered wildlife, drinking living water from a lake or a creek, standing among perfect beauty, knowing the Earth as she is where she’s been honoured. … It is a privilege.
People everywhere would pay to share that. If half the effort that’s been put into pushing Taseko Mines’ project were put into a comprehensive eco-tourism project, then we’d be already creating the beautiful future we’re meant to have.
We can all become wealthy by protecting what is already here. The Tsilhqot’in are protecting the only source of true wealth, satisfaction for all human needs, and true power: the land.
If you acknowledge the rights and title they have to the land, they may acknowledge the work you have done to earn your place here.
If you recognize the injustice they have suffered they may recognize the injustice and oppression you have suffered. If you see their potential, they may see yours.
We could work together. We could see each other as brothers and sisters sharing the same Earth mother.
We could share a vision and create a future of freedom, self-sufficiency, food security, clean water, and land and shelter for all.
We’re on the same side. We’re on the same boat. See it.
Carmen Núñez
Tl’etinqox (Anaham)