1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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...

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. 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:

12. 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

13. 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.

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