Attawapiskat First Nation members vote to work with DeBeers to develop mine
Attawapiskat community members voted on June 30 to support the development of the DeBeers' Victor diamond mine on their traditional territory. Chief Mike Carpenter summarized the community’s decision in this way, “We see this IBA as strengthening the existing relationship with De Beers Canada to create a longer-term partnership which will be beneficial to both our community and the company. We are hopeful that the project and the benefits it will bring will help us address the many challenges we have in our community.” Click here to read the completed press release.
Click here for more information about the Victor diamond mine (from the DeBeers web site).
CBC on-line reports that "The agreement sets out how the aboriginal group will be compensated for use of its traditional lands.
For more than five years, people have been debating whether a diamond discovery in their backyard spelled opportunity or a threat to the reserve's traditional way of life and culture.
The newly ratified Impact Benefit Agreement attempts to settle that debate; it promises the First Nation jobs, training and money.
The CBC has obtained a confidential copy of the agreement, in which DeBeers and the First Nation have set targets for the number of local people employed at the mine.
During the construction phase, the mine is expected to employ about 600 people. De Beers is guaranteeing that it will hire about 30 people from Attawapiskat.
The company has agreed to invest in training programs and give Attawapiskat businesses priority for contract work.
The First Nation will get yearly financial payments from De Beers. Neither party will say how much."
Click here for the entire CBC news article. - Ontario First Nation signs diamond mine agreement - Sun, 03 Jul 2005