A former Chief of the Alexis Creek First Nation is speaking out against comments made by Tsilhqot’in Tribal Chair, Chief Joe Alphonse on supporting the Federal Court’s decision to move forward with two judicial reviews on the rejection the proposed New Prosperity Mine.
Ervin Charleyboy, who says he supports the project and has worked for Taseko for the past five years, says he personally believes that too many individuals have been wrongfully involved with the direction of the project.
“This is judicial review, it’s not a court. It’s just a review.”
“People like Chilcotin Chiefs and then the outsiders, shouldn’t be involved in that.”
“They should not be involved. It’s just a judicial review and they don’t understand that.”
Charleyboy also says it not true that Taseko is not capable of working with First Nations.
“They (Taseko) talk and I talk with them and they’re sincere people.”
“I have good relationships with them.”
“I think the Chiefs just don’t like Taseko mines or New Prosperity. It’s just a personal vendetta against Brian Battison and Russ Hallbauer.”
TNG Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse had said on Wednesday that he does not believe Taseko is capable of working with First Nations.
Two judicial reviews, as opposed to full trial on the proposed New Prosperity project, have been granted to move forward by the Federal Court allowing a resolution on Taseko’s allegations to come within months rather than years.
*You can view the original story with TNG Tribal Chair, Chief Joe Alphonse here.