Aboriginal communities study mining impact.

• Position: Fednor Update - Brief Article

A unique research study funded through FedNor is now under way in 10 Aboriginal communities throughout Northern Ontario. Its strategy is to enhance Aboriginal communities' involvement in Northern Ontario's mineral industry and to faster long-term partnerships between these communities, all levels of government and the mineral industry. Sudbury-based Gezhtoojig Employment & Training and the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA) are spearheading the project.

CAMA President, Hans Matthews, stressed the importance of gaining first-hand knowledge of the needs of Aboriginal communities throughout the North and of the issues and opportunities they face.

"This project's uniqueness is that individual communities and their members are driving the process," says Matthews. "Issues of land-use planning, environmental protection and management of resources vary from region to region and community to community."

A local coordinator, selected by the Chief and Council, has been hired in each of the 10 communities to gather the data including a community profile, a recap of the level of mineral activity and its impact, direct input from residents on any issues, needs or concerns related to the mining industry, and how they can become more involved.

Once this information is analysed and presented to the communities, it will be shared with representatives of the mineral industry and government to develop a strategic plan to address key issues, fill gaps, and explore new partnership opportunities for economic development in Aboriginal communities across Northern Ontario.

"The development of a comprehensive strategy and strong partnerships is the first step in maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship between mining and Aboriginal communities," Matthews adds. "CAMA and our partners at Gezhtoojig Employment & Training look forward to sharing our study's findings later this fall."

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Une etude unique financee par l'entremise de FedNor est en cours dans 10 communautes autochtones du Nord de l'Ontario. La strategie vise a accroitre la participation des communautes autochtones a l'industrie des mineraux nordontarienne et a favoriser l'etablissement de partenariats a long terme entre ces communautes, tous les ordres du gouvernement...