Media Advisory - March 30, 2015

Tsilhqot’in Nation Chiefs and supporters to attend gathering as final arguments begin

VANCOUVER – The Wilderness Committee will return to court on Tuesday, March 31st for closing arguments in the defamation lawsuit brought by Taseko Mines Limited. A delegation from the Tsilhqot’in Nation will be traveling to Vancouver to attend a gathering of friends and supporters on the steps of the BC Supreme Court.

WHAT: The events mark the conclusion of the defamation lawsuit filed in 2012, in which Taseko Mines alleged that the Wilderness Committee had published defamatory statements in online publications encouraging the public to participate in the review process for the New Prosperity Mine. The Wilderness Committee maintains that the lawsuit was an attempt to put a chill on opposition to the project, which risked harming Fish Lake in Tsilhqot’in Nation Territory. 

Supporters will gather on the courthouse steps ahead of the final hearings to defend the right to speak out on issues affecting the environment and public interest. The court will hear final arguments from both sides beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, and proceedings will continue until Thursday, April 2nd.

WHEN:       Tuesday, March 31, 2015
                   8:30 a.m.

WHERE:    Supreme Court of BC (Nelson St. entrance)
                  Nelson and Hornby Street, Vancouver
                  (view map)

WHO:        

• Joe Foy, National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee
• Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chairman, Tsilhqot’in National Government               
• Chief Roger William, Xeni Gwet’in First Nations
• Chief Percy Guichon, Tsi Deldel First Nation
• Chief Russell Myers Ross, Yunesit'in Government
• Chief Bob Chamberlin, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
• Marilyn Baptiste, Nits’il?in Yaz/Councillor, Xeni Gwet’in First Nations

– 30 –

For more information, please contact:

Joe Foy | National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee – (604) 880-2580

Myanna Desaulniers | Communications Coordinator, Tsilhqot’in National Government – (778) 836-0122

Chief Bob Chamberlin | Vice President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs – (778) 988-9282