Marilyn Baptiste, A former chief of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, led her community in defeating one of the largest proposed gold and copper mines in British Columbia – the Prosperity Mine. The project that would have destroyed Fish Lake — a source of spiritual identity and livelihood for the Xeni Gwet’in.

The Xeni Gwet’in, also known as the Nemiah Valley Indian Band, is one of six Tsilhqot’in First Nations. For generations, they have been steadfast protectors of their territory and the surrounding pristine environment of forests, lakes, streams and diverse wildlife such as bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, wild salmon and wild rainbow trout.

The Xeni Gwet’in territory became ground zero in Vancouver-based Taseko Mines Limited (TML)’s long quest to build Prosperity Mine. Baptiste has followed in her father’s footsteps in the fight for her community’s rights. She worked her way up at the First Nation’s legal center, and in January 2008, she was elected chief of the Xeni Gwet’in. She also co-founded First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining (FNWARM), in the thick of TML’s relentless pursuit of the Prosperity Mine project.

View Marilyn Baptiste bio on The Goldman Environmental Prize website
View April 21, 2015 Philanthropy News Digest article
View April 20, 2015 The Guardian article
View April 20, 2015 Business Wire article
View more information on the 2015 The Goldman Environmental Prize winners