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By Roger White/Q101 Merritt

Highland Valley Extension

CNA supports Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension Project

Nov 23, 2024 | 1:00 PM

LOGAN LAKE B.C. — Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) has formally announced its support for the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension Project.

This decision follows extensive and deliberate engagement in the Environmental Assessment process and conditions, rooted in the assertion of nłeʔképmx1 rights and title over our territory, including the Highland Valley.

CNA’s support reflects a commitment to securing sustainable and culturally respectful outcomes for the eight Participating nłeʔképmx Bands that we represent and securing mitigation measures and restoration of ecosystems in Highland Valley.

“Our decision to support the Project is based on a careful assessment of its impacts and our ability to secure appropriate mitigations for tmíxw 2 and people” said Chief Christine Walkem, CNA Board Chair and Chief of Cook’s Ferry. “nłeʔképmx have occupied and used the Highland Valley since time immemorial. This is our land, and we are determined to ensure it is cared for according to our laws, principles, and values, for current and future generations.”

CNA has been actively engaged in the Environmental Assessment process for the Project.

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In 2018, the CNA Environmental Assessment (EA) Strategy was developed to address limitations of the Provincial Environmental Assessment process and outlined relations with communities via a Community Working Group and in-community engagements, the Province, and Teck Highland Valley Copper (HVC) resulting in a community-driven nłeʔképmx Impact Assessment Framework.

In 2022, CNA authored nłeʔképmx Knowledge into most chapters of HVC’s EA application known as the Single Application Package3. CNA actively held the pen to ensure an equal weighting of nłeʔképmx Knowledge and Western insights into the application that provided additional context to the reviewer regarding nłeʔképmx rights, title, principles and values to support our nłeʔképmx Impact Assessment of the Project.