Hudbay has joined a new council designed to foster cooperation between mines and First Nations, but the Chief leading the charge against the company is nowhere to be found.
Members of the Mining Advisory Council include Brad Lantz, head of Hudbay’s Manitoba operations, and Tom Goodman, a Hudbay board member and former vice-president.
Notable in his absence is Chief Arlen Dumas of Pukatawagan’s Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, who accuses Hudbay of illegally operating on traditional aboriginal territory.
A spokesperson for the NDP government, which formed the council, said Chief Dumas was originally invited to participate, “but unfortunately, he withdrew his participation earlier this year.”
But that does not mean Chief Dumas is excluded from offering his input to the council, made up of industry, government and First Nations representatives.
“The council is not exclusive, and is open to contributions from other interested community leaders who want to advance sustainable mining development for the benefit of their communities,” said the spokesperson, “and will be considering broadening over the coming months. This may take the form of adding members to the council and/or finding a way to include input from other communities as they want to contribute.”
The council will for the first time ensure First Nations communities that wish to participate are always consulted on every aspect of resource development.
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The council will also provide advice and recommendations to the province on:
• resource revenue and benefit sharing with First Nations;
• promoting and increasing First Nations procurement and business opportunities, including joint ventures;
• creating education, training and employment opportunities and equity;
• strengthening environmental protection and stewardship; and
• ensuring full consultations continue with First Nations communities throughout this process.
Chief Ron Evans of Norway House, co-chair of the council, said the group’s work will “develop meaningful consultation processes and build stronger, more respectful relationships with First Nation communities.”
“Being at the table will ensure a strong voice for our communities and employment and economic opportunities for our people,” he said.
Added Chief Donavan Fontaine of Sagkeeng First Nation, the other co-chair: “Our work with the Mining Advisory Council will help ensure our people receive equitable benefits from mining done in our territories.”
It’s not clear if the types of benefits being discussed through the council are enough to satisfy Chief Dumas and the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation.
Chief Dumas has demanded Hudbay halt work at its Lalor and Reed mines near Snow Lake because it does not have the band’s permission to be there.
His arguments have not passed legal muster, however, so Hudbay operations have continued despite a couple of one-day protests at Lalor earlier this year.
Urged participation
Hudbay has urged Chief Dumas to participate in the council, and it is not clear why he withdrew from the group. He could not be reached for comment.
In unveiling the new council last week, Mineral Resources Minister Dave Chomiak touted it as a tremendous opportunity for First Nations.
“First Nations that want to participate will be partners every step of the way as new mines are brought on line and they will share in the benefits of resource development,” he said. “There will be new training opportunities, good jobs, revenue sharing and a range of social and economic benefits for First Nations communities. This will also send an important message to those who want to invest in Manitoba’s mining sector that we’re open for business.”
Lovro Paulic, chair of the Mining Association of Manitoba, called the council “a positive step towards building a more sustainable future for the mining industry” in Manitoba.
“We look forward to listening to and learning from one another,” he said, “so we can better understand issues and opportunities, and move forward in a respectful, mutually beneficial manner.”
Across Manitoba, more than 900 aboriginals work in mining, a number likely to grow as a result of the council and its work.
Bolstering aboriginal participation in the mining workforce is also a key goal of Flin Flon’s Northern Manitoba Mining Academy.
In the academy’s first year of operations, enrollment was about 75 per cent aboriginal, with students coming from as far away as Pukatawagan, Norway House and Cumberland House.
Joining Hudbay’s Lantz and Goodman, as well as Chief Evans and Chief Fontaine, on the council are Chief Phillip Buck (Mosakahiken Cree Nation); Chief Clarence Easter (Chemawawin Cree Nation); Chief Jerry Primrose (Nichichawayasihk Cree Nation); Chief Andrew Colomb (Marcel Colomb Cree Nation); Chief Gilbert Andrews (Gods Lake Narrows); Chief Michael Constant (Opaskwayak Cree Nation); Grand Chief Irvin Sinclair of Keewatin Tribal Council; Lovro Paulic (vice-president, operations, Vale Manitoba); Tom Lewis (vice-president, exploration, Wildcat Exploration); and Dale Ginn (executive vice-president, San Gold).
– With files from a Government of Manitoba news release
Pukatawagan Chief Arlen Dumas, pictured at a protest at the Lalor mine site last winter, withdrew from a new mining council struck by the province.
