Tahltan elder group Klabona Keepers blockade Red Chris Mine
Aug. 8, 2018
Klabona Keepers Roadblock
Following the August 5th tailings pond breach at Mount Polley mine, a group of Tahltan Nation elders known as the Klabona Keepers began a blockade of Imperial Metal’s Red Chris Mine near Iskut in Northwestern British Columbia. The Indigenous protesters blocked access to the mine and demanded that Imperial Metals’ employees stop working. They also prevented diesel fuel trucks and shuttle buses full of mine workers from entering the site.
As the Klabona Keepers remarked nearly one decade ago, in the Klappan Declaration,
“To those who would despoil our homeland, we say this: we will never dishonor those who have gone before us, and whose bones are now part of the earth beneath our feet. Long ago our people established laws to protect the land and waters and the animals and plants that live among us. We have a solemn duty and responsibility to those who came before and those to follow to protect this place. It is a Sacred Trust given to us, and which no one can deny. Our title to these lands, and our responsibilities to it, remain unextinguished, and in full force and effect under our laws and customs.”
As the Klabona Keepers remarked nearly one decade ago, in the Klappan Declaration,
“To those who would despoil our homeland, we say this: we will never dishonor those who have gone before us, and whose bones are now part of the earth beneath our feet. Long ago our people established laws to protect the land and waters and the animals and plants that live among us. We have a solemn duty and responsibility to those who came before and those to follow to protect this place. It is a Sacred Trust given to us, and which no one can deny. Our title to these lands, and our responsibilities to it, remain unextinguished, and in full force and effect under our laws and customs.”