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Consent
The exploration programmes, not only in the
Voisey's Bay area, but throughout much of the
Innu lands, have proceeded without the consent
of the Innu people ... and the rapid pace has
given rise to concerns, fears, and deep
resentment among the Innu. |
Chief Katie Rich
Utshimassit Band Council |
Regulating Impacts
What is the long-term perspective for mining?
We seem to be giving away mountains and
getting borrow pits in return. |
| Chief Herb Norwegian, Fort Simpson |
Traditional Knowledge
Good baseline research acknowledges the
cyclical and variable patterns to the natural
world and human societies. A one- or
two-season "snapshot" picture of an area is not
acceptable. While there are limits to traditional
knowledge ... there remains, among the elders
and active hunters and fishermen, an in-depth
understanding of baseline conditions for many
years back. |
Chelsey Andersen
Labrador Inuit Association |
Regional Baseline Studies
Already the exploration programmes have
caused environmental change and communities
are experiencing several impacts. The
"baseline " is changing as the weeks and months
of exploration work pass, making it all that
more difficult to establish true conditions prior
to impact. |
Chief Katie Rich
Utshimassit Band Council |
Understanding Aboriginal Culture
The feeling among Innu is that governments and
the mining industry fail to understand, and
accept, the fundamentals of Innu life and
culture.... It is time for governments and industry
to stop asking Innu to "move to their side of the
table all the time. |
Daniel Ashini, Director, Innu Rights and
Environment, Sheshatshui |
Social Disruption -- Wildlife Dwindling
Large numbers of transient workers during
further exploration and construction of facilities
are a threat to the stability of the community.
The expectation [is] for escalating levels of
social problems.... Wildlife populations are
dwindling and ... action is needed now to avert
the kinds of crises characterized by the loss of
the plains bison and more recently the collapse
of the eastern cod fishery and the dwindling
salmon stocks on the west coast. |
Chief Joe Johnson
Kluane First Nation |
Caribou-Environmental Protection
While most of the (Bluenose caribou) herd's
calving range is in the proposed national park
to the east of the community of Paulatuk, there
are years when calving does occur to the west
of the park on what are likely to be prime
exploration, and possibly development, lands. |
Joey Amos, Vice-chair
Inuvik Community Corporation |
EA Process
At the heart of the matter is the question of
whether impact and benefit agreements
between Aboriginal organizations and resource
companies for a particular project can, in any
way, constrain or limit the kinds of decisions the
EA body may take. |
| Makivik Corporation |
Mining and Tourism
...tourism is linked to cultural experience and
the opportunity for non First Nation people to
learn about Yukon cultures, customs, and
traditions. Mining, if not managed well, will provide
only short-term opportunities and limit further
chances for a sustainable tourist programme. |
Joe Johnson, Chief
Kluane First Nation |
