Opponents of the development hailed the federal decision. Top on the list of opponents to the mine are the First Nations of the Tsilhqot'in National Government, which comprises of six individual communities. Fish Lake is considered to be sacred to the peoples of the Tsilhqot'in, and any damage to the lands and headwaters would affect them not only physically, but also culturally. The second rejection of the proposed mine comes as relief to these communities, and they are urging Taseko to give up the fight. As Chief Roger William of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation said in a statement,

"We call on the province and Taseko to acknowledge that this is the end, to pack up their tents and go home. The company has wasted too many resources and time on a project that was first rejected in 1995. It is time to look elsewhere and leave us in peace."