First Nations "duty to consult" process ignored as Ontario grants mining claims to Platinex
First Nations say the first they heard of new claims was through media
By Alana Toulin - April 26, 2008
A number of Northern First Nations have said they‘re disappointed about the way they found out about new exploration claims by Toronto-based Platinex Inc.
According to both Matawa First Nations and Gull Bay First Nation, the first either learned of the newly announced claims were through reading about them in the media.
On Tuesday, NDP Leader Howard Hampton released a statement blasting the Ontario government for allowing the claims at a time when mining development on traditional aboriginal lands is in dispute.
Citing the jailing of six leaders of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation for contempt of court in a civil case between Platinex and KI, Hampton slammed the government for giving Platinex exploration rights “adjacent to Webequie First Nation, Marten Falls First Nation, Fort Hope First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation and Gull Bay First Nation.”
Hampton said Friday that he spoke to Matawa leaders, who told him they were not informed by any government department or Platinex that the exploration company had staked the claims.
The nine communities that make up the Matawa First Nations issued their own response Friday, saying that “learning about such crucial developments through the media is not the correct approach in consulting with First Nations.”
They point out they have built positive relationships with other mining companies that have worked with them to “ensure that our cultures, rights, and interests are honoured and our voices heard.
“We do not desire to enter into dispute or conflict with Platinex. We expect Platinex, as with all mining and exploration companies, to respect our First Nations‘ consultation and accommodation protocol and requirements,” the statement reads before calling for updates on the provincial Mining Act.
Gull Bay First Nation Chief Wilfred King is also wary of Platinex‘s new claims.
“I think there has to be interaction with the communities, via face-to-face-meetings,” he said. “I think they should be dealing with the communities in the very beginning.”
While King said he is not closed off to the idea of development on traditional lands, it is important for him to “find out exactly what (Platinex) is proposing and what kind of exploration work they‘re undertaking” before a decision can be made.
“I know that other companies have made it very clear they want to work with First Nations communities in terms of resource sharing, development and partnerships,” he said. “I think that is the only way to go in the future.”
King said he would be consulting with his council to put a moratorium on any potential development until the First Nation is “duly consulted and accommodated.”
He is worried about the impact development can have and cited a platinum mine located near Gull Bay as an example of how things can go wrong for aboriginal communities.
“There is very little benefit accruing to our community,” King said, noting the high unemployment rate among Gull Bay residents. “Everybody else has gotten rich and our people are still living in abject poverty in Gull Bay.”
When asked about some of the First Nations communities‘ negative responses to the new exploration claims, Platinex president and CEO James Trusler was surprised.
“As far as I‘m concerned, no one is angry except Howard Hampton,” he said. “We have had some communications with various bands. There is no one protesting – they just want to proceed with discussions, which is the normal way of doing things.”
He said his company is soon going to release a statement outlining their point of view and once again showed disappointment in Hampton‘s actions.
“I don‘t think he should go around causing problems for people,” Trusler said. “If he doesn‘t like the owner of a corner store, for instance, why would he try to bring down a large group of people to interfere with their business?”