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Jonathon Naylor Editor Further First Nations demands for Hudbay to halt two Snow Lake area projects suggest little hope of a resolution between the two sides any time soon. Pukatawagan's Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN) has issued a second self-styled 'stop work order' for the Lalor mine and an identical order for the Reed mine. MCCN claims both Lalor and Reed are on its traditional territory and that Hudbay does not have the band's permission to proceed with either project. MCCN issued its second stop work order for Lalor on March 5 as protesters blockaded the mine site for the second time in several weeks. The first order, presented Jan. 28, did nothing to halt development. 'The entire basis on which the Hudbay project was assessed is based on a flawed assumption _ i.e. that there are 'no Indians' in the mining area,' MCCN Chief Arlen Dumas said in a March 5 news release. 'As a result, federal and provincial governments, as well as Hudbay, have failed to secure our consent or consider our rights and (Lalor) should be halted.' Chief Dumas said both Hudbay and the NDP government, responsible for permitting mineral projects, 'have failed to come to the table in good faith' to discuss Lalor with the band. He said the NDP has not met the requirements of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples since it 'has failed in its duty to obtain the free, informed and prior consent of MCCN for activities taking place on our territories.' 'Rightful owners' Pam Palmater, an aboriginal lawyer aligned with Chief Dumas, called on industry and government to begin 'working with indigenous peoples as the rightful owners versus treating them like impediments that need to be removed.' As for the much smaller Reed mine, Chief Dumas announced in a separate March 5 news release that this project is now also the subject of a stop work order. 'This proposed mine raises serious concerns in relation to caribou populations, water quality and carbon emissions,' he said. 'The province of Manitoba and the proponent, Hudbay, have failed to meet with MCCN, the true owners of these lands and resources, in good faith to obtain our free, informed and prior consent on any proposed activities within our territories.' MCCN has joined forces with the Wilderness Committee, an environmental group concerned over Reed's impact on nature and the fact that it is located within the Grass River Provincial Park. See 'Efforts...' on pg. 7 Continued from pg. 1 'MCCN commends the Wilderness Committee's efforts to protect the lands, waters, plants and animals in Manitoba,' said Chief Dumas. 'We share many of the same concerns in relation to the sensitive eco-systems and our responsibility to protect them. As a result, MCCN has issued a stop work order to the province of Manitoba and Hudbay unless and until they come to the table in good faith to address these issues.' Eric Reder, Manitoba campaign director for the Wilderness Committee, said the organization believes it is essential that government decisions on lands and waters are made with the informed consent of indigenous people. 'We need to see the province of Manitoba and Hudbay fully respect the Aboriginal, Treaty and Inherent rights of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation,' said Reder in a news release. 'MCCN is calling Hudbay to the table, to explain how this (Reed mine) development will impact caribou, Reed Lake and the lands and waters in their traditional territory. We share their desires to see Mother Earth cared for.' Manitoba's Green Party is also concerned that the location of the Reed mine and the exploration activities now taking place will disrupt the spring migration of woodland caribou. Protect wildlife James Beddome, leader of the party, said Grass River Provincial Park was created to protect wildlife. He accused the NDP of a willingness 'to throw away wildlife preservation in favour of five short years of copper ore' _ a reference to the projected lifespan of Reed mine. 'In five years, the ore from this mine will be exhausted and the jobs will be gone, but the caribou herd will be decimated,' added Beddome in a release. Hudbay has defended its work at both Lalor and Reed, giving no indication either project will be stopped or even delayed because of such protests. 'Our world-class operations team at Lalor has done a tremendous job since we began mining operations in August of last year,' said John Vincic, vice-president of investor relations and corporation communications. 'In spite of the recent protests, our team at Lalor is doing everything it can to meet its production targets, while maintaining the highest standards of safety.' As for Reed, Vincic previously said Hudbay expects to receive a license to mine the property later this year. That would let the company meet its goal of starting to mine there by the end of this year. Vincic said zoning for the Grass River Provincial Park allows for 'commercial resource uses such as forestry and mining, where such activities do not compromise other park purposes.' See 'Consult...' on pg. 10 Continued from pg. 7 A spokesperson for Mines Minister Dave Chomiak has said the province recognizes the importance of the environment and of working with aboriginals in developing the mining industry. 'Consultation is an important part of the process and we will continue to do that,' said the spokesperson. 'When there is disagreement, we are committed to resolving it in the best interests of all Manitobans, including aboriginal Manitobans. The province is and will continue to follow due process in environmental licensing.' But Chief Dumas has said his people 'deserve our share of resources' because under no treaty did they 'relinquish our sovereignty' or 'cede our title to the minerals.' Neither Hudbay nor the NDP recognize the legal merit of MCCN's stop work orders, which Chief Dumas presents as legitimate under 'the laws of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation.' During a speech in Flin Flon last week, Tom Goodman of the Mining Association of Manitoba said the province's miners agree there should be some form of resource revenue sharing with affected First Nations. Lalor has entered initial production and is expected to reach full production by 2015. Hudbay expects initial production at Reed by late 2013 and anticipates full production by the first quarter of 2014. _ With files from Ian Graham, Nickel Belt News