Resolution
Title: Ensuring a prompt and full closure and cleanup of the Tulsequah Chief Mine
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WHEREAS, The Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission (SEITC) is a consortium of 15 sovereign Tribal nations located in Southeast Alaska. SEITC seeks to protect the vital and sacred rivers that sustain our communities and culture. Member Tribal governments are the Chilkat Indian Village, Craig Tribal Association, Douglas Indian Association, Hydaburg Cooperative Association, Ketchikan Indian Community, Klawock Cooperative Association, Metlakatla Indian Community, Organized Village of Kake, Organized Village of Kasaan, Organized Village of Saxman, Petersburg Indian Association, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Wrangell Cooperative Association, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, and Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, salmon and other traditional foods are the foundation of our culture. The transboundary Taku, Stikine and Unuk rivers have nourished our tribal communities since time immemorial; and
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WHEREAS, healthy wild salmon populations are vital to our community health, cultural existence, and sovereignty; and
WHEREAS, The Taku River is usually Southeast Alaska’s top salmon producer and is of tremendous and unique ecological, customary and traditional use ("subsistence"), cultural and recreational value. The Taku River is usually Southeast Alaska’s largest overall salmon producer, with Southeast’s largest run of coho and king salmon; and
WHEREAS, The Tulsequah Chief Mine has been discharging toxic acidic wastewater into the Taku watershed since it was abandoned in 1957. It has been 7 years since B.C. Mines Minister Bill Bennett promised to clean up the mine site. The ongoing pollution is in violation of the Canadian Fisheries Act, B.C. mine permits and water quality standards, and an agreement with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. Yet, the pollution continues; and
WHEREAS, The Taku is the traditional territory of Tlingit people on both sides of the border. The Douglas Indian Association is the federally recognized tribe in Alaska and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation is based in Atlin, B.C. Both have called for the cleanup and closure of the Tulsequah Chief Mine; and
WHEREAS, after decades of international controversy and two failed attempts to re-open this mine that have resulted in bankruptcies, it is clear the Tulsequah Chief Mine is not a viable mine; and
WHEREAS, Chieftain Metals, the current owner of the Tulsequah Chief Mine, is in a court-ordered bankruptcy receivership process that is scheduled to end this August. There is concern that a creditor of Chieftain Metals could petition the court to extend the receivership process, which could hinder cleanup efforts; and
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WHEREAS, Alaska legislators, governors, members of congress, community leaders, fishing and tourism groups, businesses and other Alaskans have made cleanup of the Tulsequah Chief Mine a main goal in discussions with B.C. Provincial and Canadian federal officials for many years. This concerted pressure is finally showing results; and
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WHEREAS, Continued pressure and attention from Alaska will be critical to ensuring B.C. opposes any extension of the receivership process and moves aggressively to take over the mine, clean it up and close it down; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the SEITC strongly urges the State of Alaska and United States federal government to make it clear to the B.C. and Canadian federal governments that ending the receivership in August and ensuring a prompt and full cleanup and closure of the mine is a priority; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, regardless of the status of the receivership, B.C. should be moving aggressively to do everything possible to take over the abandoned Tulsequah Chief mine, close it down, and permanently stop the acid mine drainage.
ADOPTED July 5, 2022
Robert Sanderson Jr.
President and Chair
Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission
Attested and Witnessed
Guy Archibald, Executive Director