By Jacob Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
(ANNews) – In an effort to proactively reclaim sovereignty over their territories in British Columbia, the BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC) released a new report — supported by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations — demanding the right to exercise sovereignty and consent in relation to mining activities in the province.
The Indigenous Sovereignty: Implementing Consent for Mining on Indigenous Lands report sets out 25 recommendations which, if implemented, would compel mining companies and prospectors to secure the approval of First Nation governments in order to obtain consent-based access to First Nations’ lands.
They would further be required to agree and abide by conditions set by those First Nations governments.
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