Public Dissemination Research Community Case Studies: Mineral Development and Community Relations in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation and the James Bay coastal First Nations A Report on CBERN’s Public Dissemination Research Dr. Ben Bradshaw and Peter Siebenmorgen Department of Geography University of Guelph

Aims of Dissemination Grant Facilitate access (for the Naskapi) to information on evolving standards and benchmarks of responsible mining Evaluate the effectiveness of electronic communication tools for engaging northern communities Purpose: the mining case study component addresses 2 of the three primary goals of the Public dissemination proposal

Purpose of Case Studies Compare approaches to community relations pursued by Platinex Inc. and De Beers Canada, and their outcomes …with the aim of informing and facilitating discussion among those, like the Naskapi, who need to better understand company- community relations Purpose: the mining case study component addresses 2 of the three primary goals of the Public dissemination proposal

Research Approach Selection of Cases: Platinex Inc. and the KI First Nation Storyline of conflict evolved during last decade Significant political attention and media coverage Notorious ‘worst case’ example of community conflict De Beers and the James Bay coastal First Nations Recent opening of Victor diamond mine Also received significant (positive) public attention “a shining example of responsible development” (DBC, 2008) Appreciation of regional context Case Study data collection #2, Although it was De Beers who referred to the Victor mine as a shining example of responsible development in the north...

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Single First Nation with limited access to the south Approx 1500 live on north shore of Big Trout Lake No significant mineral or other resource development prior to Platinex interests

James Bay Coastal Communities Four First Nations with distinct community history, interests, and concerns with mining Share overlapping traditional territory All members of a regional council Limited hydro development throughout area Northeast Ontario, Attawapiskat is roughly 800km east of KI Communities range in population from 1500-2500

Results Significance of Ontario’s Aboriginal context: Socio-cultural challenges and unique conditions within each impacted community Mining’s historical legacy and continuing influence on northern communities Ontario’s evolving mineral policy Changing business climate and strong Aboriginal expectations surrounding consultation, benefits, and community development Purpose of context-rich case study: to better appreciate the challenges faced by both companies and to highlight their different approaches to engaging with FN communities Illustrating key connections between mining’s historical legacy, present mineral policy, and corporate practice

Results A ‘worst case’ example: Platinex Inc.’s approach demonstrated a lack of appreciation for the dynamic local context Untimely development interest Inappropriate commitments to investors Conflict-ridden court injunctions and lack of action from the Crown Jailing of the Chief and 5 community leaders Lengthy and costly arbitration process, resulting in $5 million payment to Platinex to abandon mining claims

Results Making mining work: De Beers’ Victor mine Clear communication of interests and early discussion with Mushkegowuk Council Demonstrated effort to build relationships and develop means of mitigating negative impacts, while delivering tangible benefits from mining Commitment to address conflicts and work through challenges associated with living up to the terms of Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs)

Results “we get a lot further by trying to work collaboratively, trying to get a win-win situation works better than trying to hammer someone into the ground...” (Dr. Fowler, De Beers’ VP of Aboriginal Affairs and Sustainability) “it’s a tough thing to make cultures meet... no matter how many diamonds they pull out of the ground... our needs are still the same” (Moose Cree IBA implementation officer)

Learning from the cases Strategic differences Transparent approach Focus on relationship building Increasingly sensitive to local context Practical differences Demonstrated commitment to mutual benefits: negotiating and implementing IBAs Dispute resolution Strategic differences: -consistent approach to working collaboratively with communities -relationship building was an important goal from the beginning with DBC, now formalized through the IBAs, communities understand they are partners in the success of the mine, and DBC needs them. -flexible to specific local needs (learned this the hard way through IBA negotiations), learning over time Practical:

Learning from the cases Lessons for communities: Demand appropriate consultation Manage local expectations and maintain good communication within community Be prepared to dialogue despite misunderstandings/conflicts Network with other communities who have managed similar development projects

Using the Case Studies Range of outputs: Targeted knowledge users: Web-based report and discussion board (with links and multi-media support) PowerPoint deck Detailed report document Targeted knowledge users: Research participant communities Naskapi Other CURA partners CBERN network contacts To fulfill the broad goals of the Public Dissemination project, the use and accessibility of the case study material is as significant as the content itself. The focus of the outputs is the web-based report. This is similar in structure to an online distance learning module and has a substantial amount of links to supporting material including video clips of interviews, debates at Queen’s Park regarding Ontario’s mineral policy and the KI dispute, and links to archived news media and other publications related to both case studies. In addition to this, there is a deck summarizing the key points of the research, and an in-depth written report; both will be available through the report’s web page.

Moving Forward Use of case studies Testing utility Bringing this to other Aboriginal communities as part of new, larger research effort