Media Advisory - January 20, 2014

VICTORIA - An upcoming forum Tuesday evening at the University of Victoria will explore social, legal, environmental and indigenous perspectives on mining. This informative panel discussion will focus on current exploration plans for the Fandora Gold Mine on Vancouver Island, as well as the stories and experiences of Dr. Chandu Claver. 

The event – co-hosted by the Wilderness Committee, the Friends of Clayoquot Sound, and the Social Environmental Network – will highlight the current status of the Fandora Mine in Clayoquot Sound and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s opposition to this project.

On the Panel:

• Saya Masso, Councillor and Natural Resource Manager for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, who firmly oppose the Fandora mine
• Dr. Chandu Claver, an indigenous rights advocate from the Philippines, to speak on social impacts of mining
• Torrance Coste, Wilderness Committee campaigner with experience fighting mine proposals on Vancouver Island, to speak on the flaws of BC's environmental review process and issues of sustainability in mining

Moderated by Ben Isitt, Victoria City Councillor.

Where:     Human and Social Development Building, Room A240
                 University of Victoria (view map)

When:       Tuesday January 21st, 2014
                  Doors at 6:30 p.m. | Event runs from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

This is a free event – everyone welcome.

For more information on the Fandora gold mine, click here.

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For more information, contact:
Saya Masso, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation
250-726-5076
saya@tla-o-qui-aht.org

Emery Hartley, Friends of Clayoquot Sound
250-266-1694 (cell)
emery@focs.ca

Torrance Coste, Wilderness Committee
250-516-9900 (cell)
torrance@wildernesscommittee.org

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE AT OR BEFORE EVENT
PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/351242828350894/