Canadian mine faces Indian opposition

OTTAWA, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Canadian Indian leaders say they remain opposed to a proposed copper-gold mine in British Columbia and warned of violence if the project proceeds.

Tsilhqot'in Nation leaders say the $800 million Prosperity Project would destroy two lakes that contain about 90,000 rainbow trout, a food source for local native bands, The Globe and Mail reported Friday.

"Our people are willing and ready to defend our lands," Tsilhqot'in Nation Chief Marilyn Baptiste said Thursday in Ottawa. "As one of my elders had said when we were going through the panel hearings -- she will be there on the road in her wheelchair. She will have her shotguns and she will not move."

The British Columbia provincial government has approved the project, but in July a federal review panel ruled the mine would have "significant adverse environmental effects," leaving the final decision up to the Canadian Cabinet.

Other native groups including the Assembly of First Nations and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs are supporting the six-band Tsilhqot'in Nation in opposing the mine.

Provincial officials say they have offered a revenue-sharing agreement, but to date local first nations have shown no interest in pursuing one, Randy Hawes, the province's minister of state for mining, said.

"We have made it clear that we are prepared, if the mine were to go ahead, that there would be revenue-sharing agreements." Hawes said. "Tens of millions of dollars would flow directly to the Tsilhqot'in Nation, but so far, the answer is no."