The Tahltan Nation wants a halt to all jade extraction and placer mining operations in its territory.
Tahltan Central Government President Chad Norman Day says jade is an important resource to Tahltan culture and must only be utilized with their consent and in a manner that respects their culture.
But Day says jade harvesting and placer mining has continued, virtually unchecked, for generations with minimal oversight and no compensation to the Tahltan.
He says none of the 25 companies currently exploring or extracting jade, primarily around Dease Lake have consent or support of the Nation.
Until there is a meeting with the BC Government, jade operators, and miners, to address their concerns, the Tahltan Central Government says it will no longer tolerate the status quo and will arrest jurisdiction over its territory through any legal means necessary, including protest and court action.
The Tahltan Nation has written a strongly worded letter to the province outlining their concerns.
