indigenous people and mining in canada
TRANSCRIPT
Overview
u Indigenous People in North America
u Indigenous People in Canada
u The Inuit context
u Impacts of mining in Inuit communities
u The strategies of mining companies
u Ongoing challenges
u Key successes
Indigenous Peoples in North America
u Canada: more than 1.4 million
u Inuit
u First Nations
u Metis
u United States: more than 5 million
u American Indian Tribes: over 35 distinct groups
u Inuit
u Yupik
u Hawaiian Native
u Mexico: more than 15 million
u Over 60 distinct groups
Indigenous Peoples in Canada
Inuit • 59,500
• 4 regional homelands spread across the Arctic
• Language: Inuktitut
• Greatest autonomy in managing traditional lands and environment
First Nations • 852,000
• More than 600 unique groups spread across Canada
• Language: more than 60
• Indian reserve system managed by the federal government
Metis • 452,000
• Spread across central and western Canada
• Language: Michif
• Most urbanized Indigenous group
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
u National voice for Inuit women
u Established 1984
u 14-member Board of Directors representing:
u Inuit Nunangat
u Urban centres
u Youth
u Main areas of work:
u Health
u Abuse Prevention
u Socio-Economic Development
The Inuit Context
• 5 mines in operation
• More than 20 exploration sites
• Encouraged by Canadian government as source of economic development
• Approved through environmental assessment process
• Managed by regional Inuit governments
Impacts of Mining in Inuit Communities
u Employment and income
u Workplace issues
u Family relations
u Addictions
u Violence against women
u Environmental impacts
u Socio-cultural concerns
Strategies of Mining Companies
Federal Government • Support economic
development in rural North
• Build Canada’s export base
• Canadian economy focused on natural resources
• Royalties
Regional Inuit Governments • Impact Review Boards
• Negotiate Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements
• Procurement
• Employment
• Administer royalties funding
• Corporate lawyers vs limited capacity
Inuit Communities • Provide jobs and income in
areas of high unemployment
• Invest funds in developing the community
• Highly scientific reporting on expected impacts
• Hire local Inuit as community liaisons
Ongoing Challenges and Vulnerabilities
u High unemployment
u Low educational attainment
u Overcrowded housing
u Food insecurity
u Poor health outcomes
u Recent transition to living in permanent settlements
u Dislocation of traditional knowledge
Key Successes
u Pauktuutit research in Baker Lake
u Kiggavik environmental assessment
u Clyde River awareness and collaboration
u Nunavik uranium hearings
u Baffinland Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement