Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas – Page 193

Cree woman dying of cancer last one standing on Attawapiskat diamond mine blockade – by Jorge Barrera (APTN National News – February 16, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 18, 2013

ATTAWAPISKAT– Inside the wood stove-warmed canvas tent beside the barricades on the ice road leading to the De Beers diamond mine, Rebecca Iahtail says she’s dying from cancer. There are several women sitting around Iahtail, three men, including Iahtail’s partner Noah, at the tent’s entrance. The conversation is almost totally in Cree.

Spruce boughs and canvas are used as ground cover. Inside the tent a single candle burns next to an ashtray and an empty coffee cup. The flame glints softly off Iahtail’s glasses, her round face half shadow, half glow.

The wood stove pops and hisses. The tinny sound of a pop tune can be heard coming from the headphones of a teenage girl. It’s Friday night in Attawapiskat, day six of the blockade is about to come to an end.

Exhaust fumes, illuminated by headlights, float across the ice road. Tail lights streak through the darkness. A number of SUVs and pick-up trucks are buzzing between the barricades and the community, which is a couple of kilometres away.

The news that De Beers obtained a court injunction to break the blockade has triggered rumours of impending arrests by the OPP. Iahtail says she has colon cancer and was given three years left to live. A mother to an 11 year-old son who is in Moose Factory at a hockey tournament, Iahtail says her impending death is part of the reason why she’s decided to stay until the end.

Frozen out of the Ring of Fire – by David McLaren (Sudbury Star – February 16, 2013)

February 18, 2013

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

The Ring of Fire — it sounds like something out of a Tolkien novel.

Welcome to Mordor, Ont., an area of 5,120 square kilometres in the James Bay watershed chock full of nickel, copper, zinc, gold, palladium and chromium — especially chromium.

The Lords of the Ring are some 30 exploration companies, such as KWG Resources and Noront Resources, which have staked more than 31,000 claims. Cliffs Natural Resources from Ohio is the principal mining company. They’re after chromium, a vital ingredient in stainless steel. (Cliffs is proposing build a chromite smelter in Capreol, creating 400 to 500 jobs).

But others are coming in, including the Chinese state-owned Sinocan Resources Corp. The Crown, in this realm, has two heads: Stephen Harper and Kathleen Wynne.

Ottawa has responsibility for some environmental oversight through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and Ontario collects royalties, or will after the 10-year tax holiday it gives remote mines.

In fact, Ontario’s mining tax regime is so generous compared to other provinces that it amounts to a subsidy. (Throw in the oilsands and the Crown gives more money to mining companies than it spends on First Nations health, education and housing.) And the federal government’s recent omnibus bills have so severely crippled its environmental regulatory muscle that you might as well hang a sign on the north that says, “(Ring of ) Fire Sale”.

New [Ontario] mines minister, new hope for Cliffs? – Staff (Northern Ontario Business – February 15, 2013)

February 15, 2013

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.

Cliffs Natural Resources hopes a restructured provincial government with Michael Gravelle at the helm of the Northern Development and Mines can kick-start talks on advancing its Ring of Fire chromite project.

During the company’s fourth quarter conference call on Feb. 13, Cliffs chairman Joseph Carrabba said while the project timelines for Black Thor are on schedule, other “critical elements” are beyond the company’s control.

“Last May, we signed a term sheet with the province that among other things enabled the decision to locate the furnace operation in (Sudbury) Ontario,” said Carrabba.

“While negotiations of a binding agreement with the government have slowed and dialogue has been suspended during the provincial government transition, recent conversations with newly seated cabinet minister Gravelle indicates the province is committed to get a deal done.”

The Ontario government has said precious little since that May news conference in Sudbury when then-mines minister Rick Bartolucci announced Cliffs was locating the $1.8-billion ferrochrome smelter in the city as part of the Cleveland miner’s larger $3.3-billion mines and mill investment in Ontario.

Second Debeers road blockade ongoing – by Rick Garrick (Wawatay News – Feburary 13, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 14, 2013

http://wawataynews.ca/

The DeBeers winter road has been blocked twice over the past week, an ongoing blockade that began on Feb. 10 and another from Feb. 4-6. The first blockade was over employment rates among community members and the use of Attawapiskat’s traditional territory, while the second blockade was over a lack of compensation for the mine’s impacts to traplines.

“It’s the same issue as with (the first blockade),” said Danny Metatawabin, Attawapiskat’s impact benefit agreement coordinator, about the second blockade. “They have a trapline there along with the other family.”

Metatawabin said the issues would be sorted out at a Feb. 11 meeting with DeBeers representatives. “The mine manager is on his way tonight, so hopefully we’ll sort it out by tonight,” Metatawabin said on Feb. 11. “As per the agreement, the membership was supposed to have been informed that we we’re not supposed to be doing any blockades.”

Metatawabin said the blockades prevented the delivery of fuel to the DeBeers Victor mine. “It’s been mostly a mixed reaction (to the blockades)” Metatawabin said. “Had the community fully supported the blockade, I think we would have more people over there, but right now there’s just a skeleton number of people over there.”

Canadian native protesters block road to De Beers mine – Reuters (MiningWeekly.com – February 13, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 14, 2013

http://www.miningweekly.com/page/americas-home

TORONTO – Native protesters have blocked the winter access road to De Beers’ Victor mine in Northern Canada for the second time in less than two weeks, raising concerns over supplying the diamond project before the spring thaw makes the site inaccessible except by air, the company said on Wednesday.

De Beers, a subsidiary of Anglo American, has a window of about 45 days to complete its winter transportation programme on the ice road. The company’s trucks have so far faced disruptions on eight of 12 days since the programme was launched.

De Beers Canada has notified the protesters and the local community of a potential legal action in an effort to regain control of the transport corridor for fuel, machinery and other large supplies, spokesperson Tom Ormsby told Reuters.

“We need action at this point to get the road open, that’s our priority,” said Ormsby. “There will be economic consequences for all involved if we cannot successfully complete this programme, and it impacts the operation of the mine.”

The most recent barricade was set up on Sunday by a small group of protesters who are demanding the company provide compensation for the loss of traditional trap line territory.

De Beers threatens legal action – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – February 14, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 14, 2013

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

ATTAWAPISKAT – De Beers officials are getting fed up with the repeated illegal blockades of the winter road leading to the Victor diamond mine.

Since the road opened 13 days ago, blockades have prevented supplies and equipment from being delivered for nine of those days. After resolving a blockade that began early last week, another one started up this week.

On Tuesday night, “representatives from De Beers Canada met with Attwapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence, in person, to deliver a formal letter to chief and council stating that is the community does not take immediate action to remove the current illegal blockade of the winter road leading to the De Beers Victor mine, we will pursue all options at our disposal, including legal action,” said Tom Ormsby, the company’s director of external and corporate affairs.

Ormsby said after meeting with the chief, De Beers officials went to the location of the blockade where they delivered a formal letter to those blocking the road, indicating the company’s intention to explore legal options. At last report, the blockade remains in place.

While the mine continues to operate at full capacity, Ormsby said there are economic implications to these disruptions that pose a serious threat to the future of the mine.

First Nations must ‘learn from’ De Beers deal – by Jody Porter (CBC News Thunder Bay – February 13, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 14, 2013

http://www.cbc.ca/thunderbay/

Documents show Attawapiskat gets 0.5% share of annual diamond revenues

Disputes over the value of Attawapiskat’s nearby diamond mine provide a lesson for other First Nations considering mining deals, according to the Assembly of First Nations’ Ontario Regional Chief.

“It’s a learning tool and we have to learn from that,” Stan Beardy said. “But going to the future, I think we need to look at what is fair, what is adequate and what is reasonable.” Members of Attawapiskat First Nation erected another blockade this week on the road to the mine.

According to the First Nation’s trust fund documents, Attawapiskat receives about $2 million annually from De Beers as a royalty. Based on information available on the company’s website, the annual revenue of De Beers’ diamond production at its Victor Mine near Attawapiskat is about $400 million.

Harvey Yesno: A visionary leader takes the reigns of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – February 2013)

February 13, 2013

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North. Ian Ross is the editor of Northern Ontario Business ianross@nob.on.ca.

Making a comeback into First Nations politics was definitely not in Harvey Yesno’s plans. But the opportunity to make an impact at a pivotal time in the North’s history and lay a foundation of prosperity and self-determination for generations to come was something he could not pass up.

The 57-year-old Yesno was sworn in as grand chief of the Thunder Bay-based Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) last August, replacing Stan Beardy who was elected the new Ontario regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

To make a run for office, Yesno left his position as director for Aboriginal community and stakeholder relations with the province’s Ring of Fire Secretariat office. Prior to that, he had been the well-known president and CEO of the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund since 1993. “I was reluctant to come back after a 21-year absence in the political arena,” said Yesno, “but some things have not really changed and advanced.”

Conditions remain the same in many of the 49 Ojibway, Cree and Ojicree communities in the Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 territories: high unemployment, drug addiction, high cost of living, inaccessibility, inadequate housing, and revenue streams largely dependent on government transfer payments.

Attawakpiskat’s De Beers protest ill-directed – by Lorne Gunter (Toronto Sun – February 13, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 13, 2013

http://www.torontosun.com/home

On Sunday evening, just three days after an earlier blockade had been lifted, a group of about 12 aboriginal protesters from Attawapiskat, Ont., once again closed the winter road to the De Beers diamond mine 90 km west of the First Nations settlement. De Beers counts on the frozen road to resupply fuel, building materials and heavy equipment for the entire year since the ground around the giant excavation is too soft in summer to permit heavy loads.

This second blockade seems to be the doing a single family — the Edwards. And they claim their grievance with De Beers is over lack of compensation from miners for infringing on the family’s long-time traplines.

But if that’s their complaint, their grievance is with their own leaders at Attawapiskat, not with De Beers.

In late 2005, three years before the mine officially opened, De Beers concluded an “impact benefit agreement” (IBA) with Attawapiskat leaders. The IBA was approved in a referendum by 85% of residents.

Since that time, De Beers has paid money into a trust administered by the band council. The company is currently putting in an average of $3 million annually so the band has money to pay claims of lost livelihood and income from mine activity — precisely like the Edwards family.

NEWS RELEASE: NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION EXPECTS RESULTS FROM NEW ONTARIO PREMIER; KICK-START THE ECONOMY FOR ALL ONTARIANS

February 12, 2013

Monday, February 11, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Harvey Yesno expects results from the new Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne as she was officially sworn into her office today at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Now that the Ontario Liberal Party has completed their leadership selection process, it is time to get down to business in the north.

The James Bay Treaty No. 9 and the Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 covers two-thirds of Ontario, and NAN First Nations expect results from the Ontario government – in order to bring economic growth and prosperity to Ontario from the remote north – benefiting all Ontarians with investments, opportunities, jobs, infrastructure and business that are all much needed in this province.

“The Premier of Ontario needs to kick-start the Ontario economy and improve the future prospects for all Ontarians. It’s not a mystery to anyone in government – the lands and resources required to generate wealth for the future of Ontario are going to come out of the remote north – our treaty territories,” said NAN Grand Chief Harvey Yesno. “The future of any Premier in Ontario may hinge on how they choose to proceed with resource and economic development in the remote north; and NAN First Nations are anticipating those discussions.”

NAN First Nations want negotiations on resources – by NNL Staff (NetNewsLedger.com – February 11, 2013)

February 12, 2013

http://www.netnewsledger.com/

THUNDER BAY – News – ”The position of Nishnawbe Aski Nation remains firm,” said Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Yesno. “Whether it’s the Wynne government or the next, it is time for the government of Ontario to begin negotiations with our First Nations on treaty-wide resource revenue sharing so development can proceed in the north. The Premier must be committed to Ontario and First Nations to address treaty and aboriginal rights, and bring forward resource revenue sharing, equity and benefits for all of us.”

NAN – Future of any Premier in Ontario may hinge on decisions

“The future of any Premier in Ontario may hinge on how they choose to proceed with resource and economic development in the remote north; and NAN First Nations are anticipating those discussions.”

Grand Chief Harvey Yesno expects results from the new Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne as she was officially sworn into her office today at Queen’s Park in Toronto. “Now that the Ontario Liberal Party has completed their leadership selection process, it is time to get down to business in the north.

New blockade on winter road to mine – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – February 11, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 12, 2013

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.

ATTAWAPISKAT – Just days after reaching a settlement to end a blockade on the ice road in Attawapiskat, officials with De Beers Canada were contending with yet another small group of protesters who were blocking the way to the Victor diamond mine.

“We’ve got guys on the ground” who were meeting with the demonstrators, Tom Ormbsy, director of external and corporate affairs, told The Daily Press late Monday night.

The “core individuals” behind in the latest blockade were not among those involved in last week’s four-day demonstration, Ormsby said. According to information Ormsby received, the core participants were “two or three individuals who were possibly joined on the picket line by some family members.”

As was the case last week, Monday night’s blockade was preventing supplies from reaching the mine but not posing any interruption in its operation. The Victor mine had had to contend with demonstrations and blockades on the winter ice road from time over its five years of operation.

Ormsby said typically the demonstrators have very specific personal demands and their actions are generally not supported by the community at large.

[Attawapiskat] Leaders out of their mines – Toronto Sun Editorial (February 8, 2013)

November 4, 2015February 12, 2013

http://www.torontosun.com/home

With little else to do in Attawapiskat, and with no leadership worth noting, it is no surprise that a bunch of residents from that frozen ghetto would bite the hand that feeds them with a blockade of the ice road to the De Beers diamond mine.

It is just one more example in a long list of why unmanageable and unsustainable reserves like Attawapiskat should be shut down.

After all, De Beers has only deposited around $300 million into the band council’s coffers over five years – that’s $60 million per annum, or $50,000 per resident per year – so there’s no sense letting that good deed go unpunished, now is there?

So block the road.And who cares if 100 of the 500 employees at that mine are actually Cree workers from Attawapiskat? Let them eat frozen cake. And, most of all, why allow them to be examples to others when the federal government, via the taxpayer, will continue pumping in the cash to all and sundry with disappointing results.

And, while we’re at it, why not give a big raise to whatever lawyer the band hired to make its deal with De Beers? Why? Because De Beers purportedly signed what amounts to a non-disclosure clause with Chief Theresa Spence’s crew to not reveal what any of that $300 million is for, or how it is spent.

Yukon’s court ruling on free-entry mining could help Idle No More – by Bertrand Schepper (Rabble.ca – January 22, 2013)

February 8, 2013

http://rabble.ca/

On December 27 this past year, the appeals court of the Yukon Territory gave an important ruling regarding the rights of First Nations in relation to Yukon’s free-entry mining policy. The plaintiff in the case, the Ross River Dena Council tribe, considers that Yukon’s government cannot allow quartz production on its territory without first consulting the Council. The Kaska nation, to which the Ross River Council belongs, owns more than 63,000 square km, which represents nearly 13 per cent of the entire Yukon Territory.

Just as does Quebec’s Mining Act, based on free mining principles, Yukon’s Quartz Mining Act allows any person (physical or moral) the right to claim a given territory of up to 1,500 square feet, but to record it only afterwards. This after-the-fact procedure is a mere administrative formality. To keep one’s rights over the land, one just needs to demonstrate that more than $100 has been invested on the claimed territory.

A person, in most cases a mining company, which has claimed land may start exploration activities without giving any additional information to governments. However, since these activities entail transforming the land both environmentally and economically, the Ross River Dena Council considers that its ancestral rights take precedence over the Quartz Mining Act, voted in 2003, and that Yukon’s government must consult First Nations before it can allow anyone to claim parcels of their land.

Justice Tysoe, Justice Groberman, and Justice Hinkson have ruled that “While Class 1 exploration programs are limited, they may still seriously impede or prevent the enjoyment of some Aboriginal rights in more than a transient or trivial manner.” The appeals court goes on to conclude that “the [mining] regime must allow for an appropriate level of consultation before Aboriginal claims are adversely affected.”

Getting a stake in the mining patch – by Justine Hunter (Globe and Mail – January 11, 2013)

February 8, 2013

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

VICTORIA — British Columbia had a banner year for mining investment in 2012. But the $463-million poured into the ground represents just a handful of successful projects. Most junior mining companies were running up against skeptical investors who have watched one too many projects fall apart because of the endless battle over ownership of the land and the resources below ground.

The mining industry does not need to follow the Idle No More movement to know it has a problem. For decades, conflict with first nations over mining resources has been blamed for curtailing the industry’s growth. When mining executives meet later this month for their annual conference in Vancouver, they’ll do so in an aboriginal-themed pavilion, part of a growing recognition that successful ventures will hinge on the co-operation of affected first nations.

A Dec. 27 court ruling offers a new reason to try to build a better relationship. The decision directs the Yukon government to consult with first nations before allowing prospectors to stake a mining claim. In B.C.,where most of the Crown land is still subject to aboriginal land claims, the ruling can’t be ignored.

The 16-page unanimous decision of the Yukon Court of Appeal – penned by three B.C. Appeal Court judges – gives the government there one year to introduce a consultation mechanism.