11 GERALDTON Norrn Superior Region MARATHON 11-11- THUNDER BAY WAWA 61 NORTHERN SUPERIOR ARMSTRONG rp en tr ive r SUD Se SAULT STE. MARIE NORTHERN SUPERIOR REGION Table of Contents 21 Purpose and Objectives:.......................... 2 Table Discussion:.............................. 3 Issues Identified by Table:...................... 5 Next Steps:................................... 6 SAR 40 4
Purpose and Objectives: The Mining and Norrn Development Norrn Superior Regional Round Table took place on Thursday February 2, 20 at Thunder Bay on traditional territory of Fort William First Nation. This was first Regional Table meeting of its kind in region as a result of implementation of a new regional engagement framework put in place by Union of Ontario Indians (UOI). This initial meeting was formulated as a sort of meet and greet and was an opportunity for participants to become furr equated with regional framework. Figure 1 below denotes Norrn Superior Region of Anishinabek Nation. 13 First Nation leaders, portfolio holders and technicians from Norrn Superior Region attended Mining and Minerals portion of Round Table that was part of a larger three-day meeting made up of round table discussions of various lands and resources related issues. In addition, aforementioned 13 First Nation leaders were joined by UOI Lands and Resources staff who facilitated Table discussions as well as representatives from Ontario Ministry of Norrn Development and Mines (MNDM). The following table notes those who were in attendance for Mining and Norrn Development Table: 2
Community or Organization Chief Melvin Hardy Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek Chief Helen Angela Paavola Namaygoosisagagun Chief Edward Wawia Red Rock Indian Band Josephine Mandamin Anishinabek Chief Water Commissioner (Thunder Bay) Elder Mike Esquega Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek Candace Deschamps Pic Mobert First Nation Alyssa Ray Red Rock Indian Band Erin Shaw Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Ervin Waboose Long Lake # 58 Hannah Desmoulin Pic Mobert First Nation John Kwissiwa Pic Mobert First Nation Richard Thompson Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek Terry Bouchard Red Rock Indian Band Clayton Ralph Jamie Taylor Jennifer Simpson Mike Dunlop Melanie Mathieson Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Affairs Branch - Mines and Minerals Division-MNDM Manager Thunder Bay Area Team MNDM Aboriginal Geoscience Liaison of Ontario Geological SurveyMNDM Coordinator Investment Readiness Program MNDM Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Aboriginal Affairs Branch - Mines and Minerals Division-MNDM Cameron Welch Union of Ontario Indians- Lands and Resources Policy Analyst Rhonda Gagnon Union of Ontario Indians- Lands and Resources Policy Analyst Tammy Desmouli NORTHERN SUPERIOR Name Union of Ontario Indians- Lands and Resources Mines and Minerals Program Coordinator Table Discussion: As Mining and Minerals Regional Table was scheduled in afternoon of a multi-day garing of Norrn Superior leaders, First Nation portfolio holders and community members, Anishinabek traditional protocol remained open from first day of meeting. After all protocol was observed, members of table introduced mselves. MNDM personnel gave Table some background on 3
what types of work y do for MNDM and briefly outlined how y could assist Anishinabek communities represented at Table. Cameron shared UOI and MNDM contact information sheets had had been distributed to Table participants. He also requested that each participant fill out a contact information form so that UOI staff could update contact lists and make future individual followup calls with representatives from each community in Region. A map of Ontario Geological Survey projects in Ontario was distributed to participants. A timeline for Mining Act process was also distributed to Table participants and is reproduced below: Timeline of Mining Act 4 2006 Ontario s Mineral Development Strategy is announced Prior to Mining Act (MAM) re were discussions with Aboriginal 2006 Ontario s Mineral Development Strategy is announced organizations and communities that took place in 2007 Prior to Mining Act (MAM) re were discussions with Aboriginal organizations July 2008 Mining Act announced (Bill 3) as well as Far North and communities that took place in 2007 Planning Initiative (Far North Act) July 2008 Mining Act announced (Bill 3) as well as Far North Planning August 2008 Ministry s Finding a Balance Discussion Paper released 1) Initiative (Far North Act) 2008-2009 Ministry of Norrn Development and Mines (MNDM) starts initial August 2008 Ministry s Finding a Balance Discussion Paper released 1) engagements across Ontario with Aboriginal communities, organizations, Industry, 2008-2009 Ministry of Norrn Development and Mines (MNDM) starts initial engagements prospectors, and public across Ontario with Aboriginal communities, organizations, Industry, prospectors, and public May 2009 Bill 3 posted on Environmental Registry for 60 days May 2009 Bill 3 posted on Environmental Registry for 60 days 2008-2009 Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) receives funds from MNDM to carry 2008-2009 Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) receives funds from MNDM to carry out ir out ir own engagement 10 engagement took place across own engagement 10 engagement took place across Anishinabek Nation Anishinabek Nation Engagement rest of of Province s. MNDM s to contact UOI First Engagementwith with rest Province s. MNDM s to contact Nations on mineral exploration activities UOI First Nations on mineral exploration activities UOI itsits First Nation representatives discussions and meetings throughout UOIand and First Nation representatives discussions and meetings Mining Act process throughout Mining Act process 2011 Phase 1 ends 2011 Phase 1 ends January ActAct Regulation Development with Union Ontario January27, 27,2011 2011- Mining - Mining Regulation Development withofunion Indians Anishinabek Toronto (Chiefs of Ontario Office)of Ontario Office) of Ontario Indians inanishinabek in Toronto (Chiefs 20122013 Mining Act s 2) - Engagement across 2012-2013 Mining Act s 2) - Engagement Province including UOI including First Nations across Province UOI First Nations June andand MNDM sign sign LetterLetter of Commitment (LOC) -(LOC) Technical Table is formed June25, 25,2013 2013UOI UOI MNDM of Commitment - Technical Table to support meetings between UOI Grand Council Chief and Minister is formed to support meetings between UOI Grand Council Chief and Minister December posting December2013 2013 EBR EBR posting 2013-14 Mining Act 3) - Engagement across across Province 2013-14 Mining Act 3) - Engagement including UOI First Nations Province including UOI First Nations 2015 Sessions on Mineral Development Strategy, Regulation 308, and MAM 2015Spring/SummerSpring/SummerSessions on Mineral Development Strategy, Regulation 308, Phase 3 are held and MAM Phase 3 are held 2016 ActAct 3) s 2016 20 20Mining Mining 3) s
What followed was an introduction to MNDM/Anishinabek relationship delivered by Cameron. He introduced Table to Regional Table process and discussed relationships between Regional Table and Advisory Council and Bi-lateral Leadership Forum that constitutes relational forum between two governments. The figure below was shared with Table and is a representation of newly introduced regional framework for engagement between Anishinabek communities and MNDM: Norrn Superior Regional Table AN/ MNDM Members Establish Terms of reference AN MNDM Bi-lateral Leadership Forum Grand Council Chief UOI and Minister MNDM (Letter of Commitment 2013) Lake Huron Regional Table AN.MNDM members Establish Terms of Reference AN MNDM Advisory Council (Formally Technical Table) Established 2008/2013 Terms of Reference Souast Regional Table AN/MNDM members Establish Terms of Reference Southwest Regional Table AN/MNDM members Establish Terms of Reference The letter of intent that established AN-MNDM Bi-Lateral Leadership Forum was presented and discussed. As was evolving terms of reference for Advisory Councils. Cameron n discussed issues tracking analysis that he had conducted for UOI and shared that he had tracked over 40 separate but inter-related issues that had been identified by Anishinabek community members and leaders and are still in need of resolution. He stressed utility of Regional Table process and suggested that regional priorities for action related to mining and development should be discussed at next meeting of Table. He n opened up Table for discussion and asked Table what y would like to see Regional Table accomplish. NORTHERN SUPERIOR 5
Issues Identified by Table: Several table participants expressed need for, and interest in, participating in some form of training or a workshop on negotiating closure plans with mining proponents. Table participants expressed frustration with fact that some First Nation communities in region find mselves in a weakened bargaining position as a result of poverty, health issues and limited human capital at community level. They felt that a workshop on content and negotiation of First Nations interests in closure plans is essential in this region with on-going and potential mineral development. A consistent me of Table discussions was need for environmental monitors to be in place in each First Nation community of Region. It is envisioned that se monitors could help to locate and address environmental impacts of mining extraction activities as well as related infrastructure development in region. As discussed, se monitors could also help to elevate severe human resources challenges faced by First Nations in region in responding to requests for comment on mining plans and permits or for consultation between First Nations and mining proponents. The Table recognized economic potential of involvement with mining industry and need to balance much needed economic opportunity with Anishinabek duty to safeguard environment and act as stewards of lands and resources of ir traditional territories. The creation of local environmental monitors and a monitoring program was seen as a tool to allow increased Anishinabek involvement in monitoring while maintaining sacred responsibilities of Anishinabek. The Table also recognized potential for such monitors to contribute to a number of additional aims of government of Ontario by participating in monitoring projects related to ministries or than MNDM. Table participants also clearly articulated need for MNDM to review timelines that are associated with First Nation input on mining plans and permits. Representatives related that current restrictions on First Nation responses to proponents and government most often preclude First Nations from having an opportunity to formulate meaningful input during mining sequence. Human resource limitations far too often mean that First Nations in Region do not have time or resources that y require to thoroughly review what y receive and n to develop a clear and concise response. The result is that early opportunities to identify issues and needs for accommodation and consultation are lost and this leads to decreased surety for all parties as mining sequence s. First Nations often face situation of not being able to understand and articulate how a proposed activity would impact ir Aboriginal and Treaty rights due to lack of physical and human capital. Table participants expressed need for increased allowance of time for First Nations to analyse and respond to plans and requests for comments. The First Nation representatives at Table spoke of utility of such Tables that are to take place on a quarterly basis. They lamented fact that mining issues that are so important to many communities, have not been receiving attention that y deserve at meetings between communities in Region and meetings of community representatives and ir counterparts in provincial government. The Table also expressed need for members of Table to meet in a First Nation Caucus prior to sitting as a Table with MNDM representatives in spring. 6
Next Steps: This first meeting of Norrn Superior Regional Table was very much a form for new UOI staff and ir counterparts at MNDM to meet with representatives or Anishinabek communities of region. The meeting was a success and Table participants expressed desire to move forward with discussion of many issues important to ir communities. The next meeting of Table is to take place in April or May of 20 at a location to be determined. It is important that next meeting of full Table be preceded by a First Nation Caucus where community representatives can discuss a number of issues before being joined at that Table by representatives from MNDM. Follow- up Items: Action Responsible Party(ies) TOR for table to be reviewed Table (all) NORTHERN SUPERIOR 7
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