Latest news with #Kaska
National Observer
5 days ago
- General
- National Observer
A year of protection: BC First Nations secure mining pause on ancestral lands
First Nations in northern British Columbia have secured a one-year pause on new mining claims across a vast stretch of their traditional territory, a move Indigenous leaders called 'history-making' for Indigenous-led land management. Gillian Staveley, a member of Kaska Dene and director of culture and land stewardship for the Dena Kayeh Institute, said the agreement marks a big step forward. 'This is a really important beginning,' Staveley said. 'We're really focusing on the work that's moving us forward toward what we're striving for, where Kaska leadership is respected and reconciliation is honestly more than just a word.' The BC government announced Tuesday that for the next year, no new mining claims can be staked or registered in the region covered by the agreement. The pause will give the five First Nations, including the Tahltan, Taku River Tlingit, Kaska Dena, Gitanyow and Nisga'a Nations, and the province time to work together on a land-use plan and gather input on how the land should be protected, used and managed in future. Sensitive ecosystems, rivers, lakes and wildlife habitats in the area will be protected from new industrial disturbance while the pause is in effect. Salmon spawning streams, old-growth forests and areas important for caribou and moose will not face new mining impacts. Areas of cultural and spiritual significance to the Kaska — burial grounds, traditional hunting and gathering areas and sacred sites — will be protected from new mining while their importance is documented and considered in planning. Zones for different uses — such as protected areas, sustainable forestry, tourism, or potential future mining — will be mapped out. At the heart of the agreement is Dene Kʼéh Kusān, a vast wild area in northern British Columbia. In the Kaska Dena language, the name means 'Always Will Be There.' The region is one of the largest intact natural landscapes in the province, bigger than Vancouver Island, with no roads or power lines and home to caribou, moose and mountain goats. It also has thousands of Kaska cultural sites and ancient trails. "We're really focusing on the work that's moving us forward toward what we're striving for, where Kaska leadership is respected and reconciliation is honestly more than just a word," said Gillian Staveley, Dena Kayeh Institute. 'The farther north you get, there are no roads, there are no power lines, there are no train tracks. There's nothing there, but just the way that the creator intended it to be,' said Harlan Schilling, deputy chief of the Daylu Dena Council and the CEO of the First Nations Centre of Excellence with the BC Assembly of First Nations. "You go over anywhere in the world, and there's not many places like that left." Kaska leaders have been working for years to see Dene Kʼéh Kusān officially protected as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA). The pause on new mining claims is seen as a key step toward making that vision a reality. By stopping new mining for a year, First Nations and the government have time to work together on a land use plan that could lead to long-term protection. 'It's just one year, and it's a strategy,' Staveley said. 'It was done strategically so that we can support the meaningful land use planning that needs to happen on the land base within the next year, so it doesn't impact existing projects.' Leaders say some areas are sacred and must be protected, while others may be open to responsible development, but only with their consent. 'Regardless of what happens here, the Kaska will never stop trying to protect that region, but there are always opportunities to sit down and discuss what responsible resource development can look like in other areas of our traditional territory. But that can obviously never be done without Kaska's consent,' Staveley said. The process behind the agreement reflects years of dialogue with the provincial government, neighbouring First Nations and local stakeholders. Kaska leaders said the collaboration is a model for how governments and Indigenous nations can work together, even amid geopolitical tensions and debates over consultation. 'The whole world economically changed … when the Trump administration had gotten in,' Schilling said. 'But we're very grateful we had a team working on this for years. So, even with the slowdown in staking, the talks and negotiations started months, if not years, ago.' The stakes go beyond economic and environmental benefits but also help future generations restore and inherit their language, traditions and land. 'My six-year-old little girl speaks Kaska way better than I do now,' Schilling said. 'This IPCA is going to help us as Kaska re-identify some of the things that were lost to us during the generations of the residential schools.' First Nations and the province will work under a tight timeline to finalize a land use plan. Existing mining projects and claims can continue to get permits and continue exploring until the planning is complete. As the First Nations and province continue on this process, the pause is being closely watched as a possible model for reconciliation and Indigenous-led stewardship across Canada, leaders say. 'This is about showing there are ways to do this right,' Staveley said. 'We call this land – Dena Kayeh, which means the people's country, and it's really an area for all people to enjoy, and it's a very inclusive and forward-thinking approach to how we can steward our land better.'
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Kaska Watkins adds another gold medal to her haul as RI reclaim A Div netball crown
Raffles Institution's Kaska Watkins taking aim during the National School Games A Division netball final. She scored 20 out of 24 shots in the 45-40 win over Anglo-Chinese Junior College. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Kaska Watkins adds another gold medal to her haul as RI reclaim A Div netball crown SINGAPORE – Competing in the National School Games swimming finals in April, Raffles Institution's (RI) Kaska Watkins collected a total of four medals – including a relay gold. Transferring that athleticism from the pool to the court, she added another gold to her haul on May 28. The goal attack played a key role as RI defeated defending champions Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) 45-40 at Our Tampines Hub to reclaim the A Division netball title that they last won in 2023. Kaska converted 20 out of the 24 shots she attempted, putting up an impressive 83.3 per cent shot conversion rate. The 17-year-old had claimed silver medals in the 50m freestyle and 4x50m medley relay on April 24, before adding a gold in the 4x50m free relay and a 100m free bronze a day later. But the water sport has given her more than just medals. 'Swimming has given me a strong core,' said Kaska, who is of English nationality. 'So whenever my teammates pass me the ball, I can grab it at different directions. Also, when I do weight training in swimming, I work on my legs and it helps me jump higher.' However, standing at 1.73m, she knew it would be difficult going up on the court against ACJC's goalkeeper Alyssa Tan, who is taller at 1.78m, prompting a different offensive approach. 'We knew we couldn't do any high balls because she (Alyssa) would intercept it, so I had to try holding her (back) so that I would block her off and get the ball,' said Kaska. RI coach Chng Li Li, 53, added: 'The AC (defence) is much taller than my shooters. We cannot play high, so we had to play the low balls (along the floor).' RI were without their first-choice centre Wang Yun Xi, who had to attend the International Biology Olympiad at Nanyang Technological University. Reserve centres Caitlin Ong and Emily Loi took turns to deputise in her place, and they both performed admirably. 'I played three quarters (in total) in the preliminary round, so this was definitely quite an overwhelming moment for me when I stepped on court,' said Emily, 17, who started the final as a substitute. Centre Emily Loi (in black, holding the ball) played well in place of their absent first-choice centre Wang Yun Xi. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM 'Even though our main centre wasn't here, it doesn't mean that our team won't be able to play well. We are still a team overall so we'll all be working together,' she said. RI started the game on the front foot, leading 13-8 after the first quarter. A combination of turnovers high up the court and neat interplay saw them take a commanding 25-18 advantage into half-time. ACJC fought back in the third quarter as they sought to narrow a 32-28 deficit. But it was ultimately too little too late as RI closed the game out to avenge last season's defeat in the final, where they lost 44-43 to ACJC. RI captain Lim Ruici , 18, said: 'The team was really hungry this year. I think our team's focus was enjoying the game because that is when we are at our best.' RI celebrating with the trophy after winning the A Div netball final. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM ACJC captain Keira Baptista was on the sidelines after a full anterior cruciate ligament tear and a partial medial collateral ligament tear ruled her out for the season. 'At first, I felt very helpless that I wouldn't be there for my team physically on court, but regardless I made sure that they knew that I would have their back,' said the 18-year-old. On-court captain Alyssa said RI played a good game and deserved their win. 'We fought hard and no matter the outcome, I think we put in our best effort today,' added the 18-year-old. In the third-place play-off, Victoria Junior College beat Eunoia Junior College 48-35. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
