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The Federal Review Panel has received a request from the Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) to submit a report and present information to the Panel in confidence during the upcoming community hearing session in Xeni Gwet’in.

On August 2, J.P. Laplante, TNG Mining, Oil and Gas Manager requested confidentiality for a report, entitled 'The Identification of Ancestral Tŝilhqot’in Graves within the Vicinity of the Proposed New Prosperity mine: Nabaŝ and Teztan Biny'.  "This report identifies and provides site-specific information pertaining to Tsilhqot’in cultural heritage sites that are not, to our knowledge, identified in the materials presented by the Proponent in its Environmental Impact Statement, or otherwise in the Panel’s record," states Laplante in the letter. "These sites were identified by Tsilhqot’in members in the field and documented by a qualified archaeologist."

"Confidentiality is sought for this report because disclosure of cultural heritage sites of this nature heightens the risk of vandalism, desecration and disrespect of these sites, which represents a substantial, specific and direct harm to the environment, the Tsilhqot’inwitnesses, and indeed all Tsilhqot’in members."

Specifically, the TNG has requested the following:

• The report not be publicly posted on the Panel’s Registry;
• Only Tsilhqot’in members be allowed to attend the presentation of the report, at the Community Hearing in Xeni Gwet’in on August 8, 2013, along with the Panel members and specified representatives of Taseko Mines Limited who have signed a Confidentiality Undertaking on terms set by the Panel in consultation with the Tsilhqot’in Nation;
• The presentation of the report be otherwise closed to the general public, including interested parties;
• The presentation of the report be in camera and not reproduced in the audio or written transcripts posted on the Public Registry; and
• The Panel avoid site-specific reference to the cultural heritage sites identified in the report in the Panel’s report to the Minister.

As outlined in Article 2.4 of the Procedures for Requesting Confidentiality, the Panel is making the Tsilhqot’in Nation request for confidentiality available for a short comment period. Interested Parties are requested to provide any comments on the request for confidentiality by August 6, 2013, 5:00pm (Pacific Time). Any comments should be submitted via email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Panel will then afford TNG the opportunity to respond to comments submitted. The TNG response to comments should be provided on August 7, 2013.

After reviewing the comments received, the Panel will determine whether the disclosure of this information could potentially result in harm to either the environment or to the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The Panel’s decision will be announced before the close of the August 7, 2013 hearing day.