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Windspeaker.com
Beaverhouse First Nation signed an historic Impacts and Benefits Agreement (IBA) with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited regarding the company’s Macassa Mine on Dec. 16.
The signing was held in Kirkland Lake, Ont., at the Beaverhouse First Nation office.
“We are appreciative that Agnico Eagle was willing to work with our community regarding the historic Kirkland Lake Macassa Mine site,” said Beaverhouse chief Wayne Wabie. “They carried on the legacy of previous owners when they took ownership of this mine site and they came to the table to work with us on this milestone agreement.”
The opening and closing prayers were conducted by Elder Sally Susan Mathias, the past chief who has been involved in negotiations leading to the IBA signing.
“This agreement demonstrates our commitment in sustainable development and in respecting the First Nations that are part of the territory where we operate,” said Andre Leite, Agnico Eagle Mines’ vice-president. “We want to focus on sustainability and in ensuring that our relationships with First Nations are based on respect and trust. We want to thank chief Wabie, his council, the Elders and the community for participating in this process to achieve this agreement.”
The community was represented by lead negotiator, John Kim Bell of Bell & Bernard Limited, a research and consulting firm that specializes in relations between First Nations, corporations and governments.
Bell is a renowned, recognized and decorated Canadian Indigenous leader and activist in the arts, philanthropy and First Nation resource development.
“I can sense that we are moving towards more modern, respectful and positive relationships with the industry, in this case with Agnico Eagle and we are very grateful for this partnership,” Bell said. “This is so meaningful for the community because it diversifies and increases their revenues. This is life changing for Beaverhouse First Nation and it launches them to another whole level. We are all very happy with the outcome.”
Bell is well known in the industry as he has for many years negotiated many different agreements both for First Nations and corporations.
“We put together a team of great environmental and legal experts as well as a mining analyst who deeply understands the mine's economics,” he said. “Together we formed a unit that represented Beaverhouse very well on consultation, mitigation, environmental and other issues as well as the compensation. I'm very proud of the team.”
The agreement is significant as this is the first major resource development agreement signed by Beaverhouse First Nation, which achieved federal recognition of its community in May 2022. The community had not originally been included in the creation of the Treaty 9 signing between government and Indigenous people in northern Ontario in 1905-06.
The lack of official First Nation recognition by the government in the past meant a lot of difficulty for the First Nation leadership in establishing, developing and maintaining social, health, education and administrative activities for its membership.
“This is an historic event for our community,” Wabie said. “This signing is another recognition of our people’s rights to these lands and we want to thank our community members, past leaders and more importantly our past and present Elders who have always stood for Beaverhouse First Nation. If it weren’t for our ancestors who are part of this territory we would not have had a leg to stand on to push for a major agreement such as this IBA.”
Wabie also thanked the Agnico Eagle negotiation team that included lead negotiator Melanie Corriveau and Eric Labbe, co-lead negotiator and legal counsel.
The IBA is set to provide the community with training, employment and business opportunities as well as financial compensation.
“This will place our people on a good footing and foundation for the future in terms of proper training and opportunities to work in the industry,” Wabie said. “The royalties and revenues that will also be generated will also provide additional support services for our membership.”
The community is continuing negotiations with Agnico Eagle in regards to the company’s development of the Upper Beaver Mining Project northeast of Kirkland Lake. This project is situated close to Beaverhouse First Nation.
Leite commented that they are looking forward to a positive relationship on both the Macassa Mine and Upper Beaver Project.
“We want to continue on this path and we believe that we have a bright future here in Kirkland Lake with both the Macassa Mine and Upper Beaver Project,” he said. “This approach in my opinion is what will allow us to continue here and achieve our full potential in this region.”
Beaverhouse council members involved in the negotiations included Kayla Batisse, Brianna Moore, Diane Meaniss and Michael MacPherson, as well as Elder representative Basil Maurer. Agnico Eagle Mines representatives on hand included Mariana Pinheiro Harvey, general manager of the Macassa Mine; Nathan Snider, community relations; Kishan Leakram, operations manager and Jane Gauthier, community relations business coordinator.