A British Columbia First Nations woman who lead her community in defeating one of the largest proposed gold and copper open pit mines in Canada has won the world’s largest international prize for grassroots environmental activists, awarded by the Goldman Environmental Foundation.

Xeni Gwet’in Councillor and former chief Marilyn Baptiste, 45, is one of the six recipients of the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize for US$150,000, which is presented annually to environmental heroes from each of the world’s six inhabited continental regions, and recognizes fearless grassroots activists working against all odds to protect the environment and their communities.

Baptiste’s successful legal challenge against Taseko Mines Limited in the BC supreme court halted the Prosperity Mine project, which would have otherwise destroyed Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) — a source of spiritual identity and livelihood for the Xeni Gwet’in, Yunesit’in and Tsilhqot’in.

“I am thrilled that the Goldman Environmental Foundation has chosen to acknowledge the importance of our successful battle against the Prosperity/New Prosperity Mine proposal and our contribution to the changing face of mining versus the environment and First Nations rights in BC,” Ms. Baptiste said. “It is also a recognition of the incredible work that the Xeni Gwet’in and Tsilhqot’in National Government put into this fight, and the invaluable support we received from First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit, the Assembly of First Nations, individual First Nations across BC and Canada, and many environmental groups”

The Goldman Environmental Prize was established in 1989 by late San Francisco civic leaders and philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman, with prize winners being selected by an international jury from confidential nominations submitted by a worldwide network of environmental organizations and individuals. 

Other prominent winners of the prize include Nigerian environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was executed by the then Nigerian military dictatorship allegedly on the orders of oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, and Nobel Prize wining Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai.

“When one looks at the calibre of the other recipients, this year and in the past, it is not only an honour to be included, but also a clear message that the world is watching and recognizes the importance of our fight and what is happening in BC,” she added.