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Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas

The fight’s not over, say anti-nuclear First Nations – by Mike Stimpson (NWONewswatch/Northern Ontario Business – November 29, 2024)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Onigaming chief says he received many phone calls after the NWMO selection of Ignace-Wabigoon area as nuclear waste repository site

Onigaming First Nation Chief Jeff Copenace says his Ojibwe community has reacted with strong emotions to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s decision to build a nuclear waste facility in the Ignace-Wabigoon area of northwestern Ontario.

“My reaction is a little bit of anger, a little bit of sadness, but I’m not sure that I’m surprised,” Copenace said Nov. 28 just hours after the NWMO announced its selection of the Revell Lake site for its deep geological repository project.

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Mining continues to power Nunavut’s economy – by Darrell Greer (Nunavut News – November 29, 2024)

https://www.nunavutnews.com/

Rapid industry expansion has led to the territory being first in Canada in economic growth

Mining continues to play a pivotal role in Nunavut’s economy and that isn’t about to change anytime soon, according to Annie Cyr-Parent, director of minerals and petroleum resources for Nunavut’s Department of Economic Development and Transportation.

Cyr-Parent said a mixed economy is characterized by relatively large mining and public sectors, while other industries hold great potential for growth, such as fisheries, the arts and tourism.

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First Nation accuses Ontario of failing to consult on Timmins mine project – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – November 26, 2024)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Taykwa Tagmou Nation wants government approvals halted on Newmont’s plans to restart Pamour gold mine

A northeastern Ontario First Nation is out to halt the restart of Newmont’s Pamour Mine, outside Timmins, claiming the provincial government has failed in its duty to consult.

Taykwa Tagamou Nation filed claim in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Nov. 20 asking the court to stay any government authorizations, permits and approvals on Newmont’s plan to recommission and return Pamour to production, 15 years after it was last mined.

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First Nation goes to court, accusing B.C. of not consulting over major gold mine – by Ashley Joannou (Canadian Press/CTV News B.C. – November 25, 2024)

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/

A First Nation says it wasn’t meaningfully consulted before the British Columbia government “effectively greenlit” what has been called the world’s largest undeveloped gold mining project.

The Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation has applied to the B.C. Supreme Court for a judicial review of the province’s decision to issue a “substantial start determination” for Seabridge Gold’s KSM Mine Project in Northwestern B.C., part of the final stage of the environmental assessment process.

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First Nations, foreign recruits bolster gold miner Agnico Eagle’s workforce – by Len Gillis (Northern Ontario Business – Novemver 18, 2024)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Executive Andre Leite pledges to continue supporting First Nations and Indigenous business partnerships in the North

The vice-president of Canada’s largest gold mining company said there is a lot of excitement these days in the industry, but it’s not just related to the rapidly rising price of gold, which has reached record levels in recent weeks.

Andre Leite, vice-president of Agnico Eagle Mines’ Ontario operations, said his company is working hard to maintain best possible working relations with First Nations both in providing jobs and sustainability for mining operations on Indigenous lands in Northern Ontario.

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Indigenous Leaders: Community builder Jennifer Constant makes their message clear to miners – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – November 21, 2024)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Sustainability, participation, equality earns Mattagami First Nation chief accolades as an Indigenous trailblazer

Since first being elected to Mattagami First Nation council in 2003, Jennifer Constant has never been shy about holding mining companies to account on their stated ESG principles of doing no harm.

Before consultation with First Nations became standard industry practice, the now-chief (Ogimaa Kwe) of Mattagami wouldn’t hesitate to remind junior mining companies probing for gold and minerals within their territorial lands to “come have a conversation” on their exploration plans.

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New Indigenous-owned mining royalty company a first in Canada – by Amanda Stephenson (Canadian Press/CTV News – November 17, 2024)

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/

In June of this year, a new company called Nations Royalty Corp. began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. With minimum fanfare, the new company quietly hit a milestone on the road to Indigenous economic reconciliation in this country, becoming the only mining royalty company in the world that is majority-owned by Indigenous people.

Backed by billionaire Canadian mining financier Frank Giustra, Nations Royalty aims to lure investors with the promise of exposure to Indigenous-owned royalties, which company executives say is the last untapped pool in Canada.

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NEWS RELEASE: Ontario Completes Building Highway Upgrades at the Gateway to the Ring of Fire (Premier’s Office – November 13, 2024)

First Nations partnering with province to unlock multi-generational economic opportunities in Northern Ontario

GREENSTONE — Today, Premier Doug Ford and Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, joined regional First Nations Chiefs to mark the completion of critical highway infrastructure improvements in the Greenstone area in Northern Ontario.

These highway upgrades at the gateway to the Ring of Fire region will improve connections to the provincial highway network for First Nations in the Greenstone area while also supporting the province’s ongoing work to unlock the economic potential of Ontario’s critical minerals in partnership with First Nations.

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Lithium explorer forges bond with Indigenous development corporation – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – November 6, 2024)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Power Metals hands contract to Black Diamond Drilling to probe for high grade cesium

A Vancouver cesium and lithium exploration outfit has hired an Indigenous-owned drilling company for its latest campaign near the Quebec border. Power Metals announced it’s engaged Black Diamond Drilling Services to complete a third round of drilling at its Case Lake property, 80 kilometres east of Cochrane.

Black Diamond Drilling is a First Nation company-owned by the community of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation (ANN), formerly Wahgoshig First Nation, located near Matheson.

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Amid Upper Peninsula mining rush, tribe is still living with past pollution – by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan – November 7, 2024)

https://www.bridgemi.com/

KEWEENAW BAY — After years of uncertainty, Dione Price hopes her community may win a long battle to clean up century-old mining waste. Years of advocacy by partners including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, where Price is environmental health manager for the tribal government, have resulted in a new plan to clean up the notorious Gay stamp sands, a waste pile visible from space that is smothering critical fish habitat in Lake Superior.

And 40 miles downstream, where yet more mining waste has washed ashore on the tribe’s reservation, native plants are eking out an existence on a scarred landscape thanks to the tribe’s habitat restoration efforts. “It’s promising,” Price said, a testament to how far the UP has come toward healing environmental harms caused by the mining industry.

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Federal watchdog snaps at climate, Indigenous gaps in Ottawa’s critical minerals strategy – by Colin McClelland (Northern Miner – November 7, 2024)

https://www.northernminer.com/

Canada’s auditor general criticized the federal critical minerals strategy for not adequately probing the impact increased mining will have on the environment and Indigenous communities.

The government program issued in 2022 budgets $3.8 billion on critical minerals support over eight years. Yet, the strategy doesn’t properly measure results and progress on ecosystems and First Nations, the Office of the Auditor General, the government’s own watchdog, said in a report on Thursday. The matters included greenhouse gas emissions, the protection of culturally significant sites and improvements to local living conditions, it said.

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Court to assess $510M in legal fees related to Robinson Huron Treaty annuities case – by Aya Dufour and Jonathan Migneault (CBC News Sudbury – November 5, 2024)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Garden River First Nation argue legal fees were too high

A judge has ruled in favour of two First Nations in northern Ontario that have argued $510 million in legal fees related to the $10-billion Robinson Huron treaty annuities settlement should be assessed. Justice Jana Steele says the court will conduct an assessment of the lawyers’ fees.

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Garden River First Nation challenged the $510-million legal bill earlier in May. Both communities are part of 21 First Nations involved in the landmark annuities case.

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Environmental NGOs love using First Nation land issues for profit – by Geoff Russ (National Post – November 5, 2024)

https://nationalpost.com/

Is there a natural resource project being built somewhere in Canada? Does it overlap with the title land, reserve lands, or other jurisdictions of a First Nation? If so, expect green NGOs to turn it into another dramatic episode so they can keep fundraising.

It has been 53 years since the infamous “Crying Indian” ad was released, but it still provides the template for how environmentalist NGOs co-opt and intrude into Indigenous affairs. Made by an American NGO called Keep America Beautiful, the ad showed a tear running down the face of a Native American, dressed like he was plucked from the set of a John Wayne movie.

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Manitoba eyes speedier approval, more Indigenous involvement in mining sector – by Steve Lambert (Canadian Press – November 4, 2024)

https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government has released a new critical mineral strategy that it says will speed up projects and better involve First Nation communities.

The 24-page document says a new office will be created to guide businesses through the various permitting processes and highlight available incentives. The plan also says the province will develop a revenue-sharing model for mining in collaboration with Indigenous nations.

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NEWS RELEASE: NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT HAS PURCHASED THE MINAGO NICKEL PLATINUM GROUP ELEMENTS PROJECT FROM FLYING NICKEL MINING CORP. (November 1, 2024)

Economic Benefits of over $700M and Approximately 500 Direct Jobs for Manitoba First Nations  

The Chief and Council of Norway House Cree Nation (NHCN) has been working with Flying Nickel for 4 years to advance this project. The NHCN purchase of the project was supported by 99% of all Flying Nickel shareholders in the Special Meeting held on October 21, 2024.

Chief Larson Anderson of NHCN confirms that “By taking full control with 100% ownership and management, we can drive this project forward, focus on the environment, maximize employment, and build economic opportunities for our people.”

The Minago Project is located on the NHCN Resource Management Area, 107 km north of Grand Rapids and 450 km north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, adjacent to Highway 6. The Minago project property comprises 94 mining claims, covering 192.36 km2, and two mining leases, covering 4.25 km2 along with the core storage and management facility in Grand Rapids.

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