The Klappan gets national environod, as coal mining troubles loom Permanent protection of our Sacred Headwaters lauded In March, Tahltan Nation was honoured with a national “Tides Canada Top 10” environmental award for our permanent protection of The Klappan. The award followed a landmark December 2012 announcement to permanently protect The Klappan from natural gas development. Shell Canada agreed to move their petroleum exploration plans to the province’s northeast. Annita McPhee, Marie Quock, and Elders Mary Dennis and Nancy McPhee travelled to Toronto to receive the award, and said it was an emotional victory, because there’s more work to do. "Shell Oil may be gone from our traditional lands, but new coal mining proposals are a major concern too.” McPhee was at a mining conference in Terrace in April, where Tahltan Elders stood up to interrupt a coal mining company’s presentation. McPhee echoed similar concerns in March. "Our concern is, mining companies are proposing to build right in the headwaters. They want to put their tailing ponds right where our people have one of our hunting camps.” "We are not against economic development. We just believe the benefits should far outweigh the impacts."
Top: Annita McPhee and Iskut Chief Marie Quock. Bottom: Elders Mary Dennis and Nancy McGee. Tides Canada Top Ten Awards gala in March in Toronto
20 | Tahltan Central Council News - June 2013