The Ripple Effect Newsletter
July, 2009
Story 1
McGuinty Government Supports Training Courses At Confederation College
Ontario is providing greater opportunities for members of Aboriginal communities in the Far North to benefit from mineral exploration training programs.
The province’s Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) has expanded its partnership with Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology in Thunder Bay, which originally offered a five-week certified training course in basic line cutting, a technique used in mineral exploration.
Under a new agreement, Confederation College will receive $250,000 to deliver additional training courses in:
- prospecting and staking
- organizing geological data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and
- geophysical operations and diamond drilling (in partnership with other training institutions).
Graduates will be better prepared to work directly in the mineral industry and other natural resource sectors.
Quotes
“Our government’s proposed Mining Act amendments would provide increased opportunities for interested Aboriginal communities to be involved in the mineral development process. These communities need ways to develop the professional skills of those who are interested in a collaboration with the OGS.”
- Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines
“The training partnership between the OGS and Confederation College is helping First Nations in the Far North meet their goals for meaningful employment and business development. I am pleased our government is helping to ensure that our First Nations communities have the tools they need to be successful in the growing mineral and natural resource sectors.”
- Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan
“Confederation College has a strong history of equipping our graduates with relevant skills and education that meet the changing needs of industry and business. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the OGS that has been so successful for so many students.”
- Patricia Lang, President of Confederation College
Quick Facts
- Since July 2006, Confederation College’s basic line cutting course has provided 104 graduates from 12 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario with employment options in their own communities and elsewhere.
- Confederation has worked in partnership with several junior mining exploration companies to help them train and hire First Nation employees.
- The minerals sector is the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal workers in Canada.
Story 2
Historic Air Licensing Agreement Reached for Northern First Nation
Webequie First Nation, ON - During a ceremonial signing presentation, Webequie First Nation has supported an air licensing agreement with Webequie Logistics. The historic agreement, that is a first of its kind for Webequie First Nation, covers several mining industrial measures including line cutting and staking, exploration equipment rental, exploration camp construction, personnel management for camps, and air transportation solutions (fixed, rotary, float) and exploration logistics.
Webequie Logistics Vice-President, Mike Peplinski says: "The agreement allows Webequie Logistics to operate in prime mining areas surrounding Webequie and in the Ring of Fire. The benefits of this agreement for all parties are numerous and include employment opportunities and capacity development for the local people of Webequie in mineral exploration and new enterprise development with Webequie Minerals Corporation, among others."
The "Ring of Fire" is known as a geological region of the James Bay lowlands and has been considered the next major mining camp in Canada, with over a dozen exploration and mining companies currently exploring for gold, platinum, nickel, and copper. The agreement expands Webequie Logistics service from just air transportation, to providing support for the mining industry that Peplinski says "will assist Junior exploration companies in an area of high activity and promote business growth in the remote North".
Webequie First Nation Chief, Cornelius Wabasse, says: "The agreement is a significant move for our community, providing much needed economic benefits, including employment opportunities and revenue sharing. The partnership is a direct result of our First Nation actively seeking business partners to increase employment and participate in mining activity taking place within our traditional territory."
As part of the agreement, Webequie Logistics will now have access from Webequie First Nation Airport, a Float Base near the Ring of Fire exploration area, and will also be able to access northern airports in Geraldton, Nakina, Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Timmins, Red Lake, and Pickle Lake.
Niskibi Commodities Inc. facilitated the joint venture between Webequie First Nation and Webequie Logistics. Webequie Logistics is owned and operated by Clayton Downton, President; Sam Lappage, First Vice-President and Mike Peplinski, Second Vice-President.
Quick Facts:
Webequie First Nation is a remote community in Northwestern Ontario situated within the James Bay Treaty No. 9 and is the closest First Nation in proximity to the Ring of Fire/McFaulds Lake area and as a result has been greatly impacted. The First Nation is accessible by air only and is located 540 kilometers north of the City of Thunder Bay.
Webequie is an Ojibwe community with a fast-growing population; Fifty-percent of community members are between the ages of five and thirty-five.
Story 3
Ridley Terminals and Coast Tsimshian First Nation Sign Groundbreaking Agreement
Prince Rupert, BC – Ridley Terminals, Inc. (RTI) and the Tsimshian communities of Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations (Coast Tsimishian) held a traditional ceremony today to announce the signing of a ground-breaking Opportunities Agreement. The Agreement establishes preferential contracting opportunities for the Coast Tsimshian.
Ridley shall make commercially reasonable efforts to allow the Coast Tsimshian to participate in eligible RFP Contracts by breaking down large RFP Contracts into smaller ones. However Ridley shall have no obligation to break down RFP Contracts to contracts smaller than $500,000 aggregate per contract.
Chief Councillor of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation, John Helin, notes that “there is nothing that Canada can do to create more wealth for the nation than to constructively engage the Aboriginal population and their assets in forward-looking development.”
Chief Councillor of the Metlakatla First Nation, Harold Leighton, notes that “Ridley’s board and management is showing real leadership, and encouraging a relationship of trust and cooperation at a critical period in the history of Coast Tsimshian in our traditional territory.”
Elmer Derrick, an Aboriginal leader from the Gitxsan First Nation, and board member of RTI, added that “Aboriginal people in Prince Rupert make up over half the population of the city. These basic steps greatly assist the Aboriginal population on its path to self-sufficiency.
Chief Councillor of the the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation, John Helin, added “Chairman Dan Veniez and the RTI Board have shown great wisdom in their attitude and how they have approached dealing with the Coast Tsimshian. When both sides have the attitude of win/win that truly is the best mindset to establish long-term trust and stability. What RTI is doing is the right way to build a relationship. We look forward to being trusted partners and stakeholders in the future of RTI and its operations within our traditional territories.”
According to Daniel D. Veniez, chairman of Ridley Terminals: “Forging a new relationship with the Coast Tsimshian simply makes good business and economic sense. The Opportunities Agreement provides a concrete framework for us to do business together. It’s also in keeping with our mandate to build value for our shareholders—the Canadian taxpayer. Being the first of its kind, this agreement between a Crown Corporation and First Nations could act as a protocol for similar arrangements across Canada.”
Calvin Helin, an advisor to the Coast Tsimshian and best-selling author of Dances with Dependency stated: “RTI is also showing great leadership in recognizing the new paradigm—the rapidly growing importance of Canada’s Aboriginal population to the economy of the nation”.
Mr. Helin notes that “Aboriginal Canadians can contribute enormously to the economic well-being of the entire nation by constructively engaging in economic development. This is a major and needed step in that direction.”
The Coast Tsimshian and Ridley entered into a Protocol Agreement dated October, 2008 for the purpose of pursuing business, employment and other development opportunities in respect of the Terminal. In furtherance of the objectives of the Protocol, the Parties have set out in this agreement the terms and conditions of the preferential business opportunities between the Coast Tsimshian and Ridley in relation to the terminal.
Within 30 days of the date of this Agreement, the parties shall establish the Joint Implementation Committee. The committee will provide a collaborative forum for open and frank dialogue between Ridley and the Coast Tsimshian as they relate to all matters pertaining to new projects at the Terminal, as well as to review and consider all aspects of such projects and performance by the Parties under this Agreement.
Story 4
Maa-Nulth First Nations Final Agreement Passed in Record Time
Vancouver – The Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement made its way through the House of Commons, the Senate, the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples and received royal assent by the Governor General in just four days.
Bill C-41 received 1st reading in the House of Commons on Monday, June 15. The following day it received 2nd reading in the House, was considered in the committee of the whole, received 3rd reading and was passed and then was sent to the Senate where it received 1st reading. On Wednesday it received second reading in the Senate, was debated and referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples where witnesses gave testimony. The committee forwarded Bill C-41 to the Senate without amendment. On Thursday Bill C-41 received 3rd reading in the Senate, was passed and was given royal assent by the Governor General.
The five Maa-nulth First Nations are Huu-ay-aht, Kyoquot/Checklesaht, Toquaht, Uchucklesaht and Ucluelet.
For more Information:
Brian Mitchell, Communications Manager
604-482-9215 or cellular 604-788-5190
Brian_Mitchell@bctreatycommission.bc.ca
About the BC Treaty Commission
The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, BC and First Nations in BC. It has three roles: facilitation, funding, and public information and education.
Established in 1992, the Treaty Commission and six-stage treaty process are designed to advance treaty negotiations. The Treaty Commission comprises a provincial appointee, a federal appointee, two First Nations Summit appointees and a chief commissioner chosen by agreement of all three parties. For more information about the BC Treaty Commission, please visit bctreaty.net.
