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S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 Photograph : New Gold Inc .
R
ealizing they can benefit from
partnering with First Nations,
many mineral exploration and
mining companies are start-
ing to develop Aboriginal engagement
strategies. Some companies, however,
are new to the idea, and many of them
don't know where to begin.
"The development of respectful
First Nations relationships will benefit
everybody in the long run," says Glen
Wonders, vice-president, technical and
government affairs, of
AME BC. "Open,
respectful communication is practical
and it works by initiating effective, early
and frequent engagement that leads to
a good relationship, which can lead to
a more formal relationship down the
line."
Wonders says mineral explorers
need to understand in detail the actual
needs and aspirations of a First Nations
community, and not what they think
the communit y needs. "Successf ul
engagement is a 'win' all around for
everyone," Wonders says. "First Nations
have the opportunity to express their
interests and concerns, and identify
opportunities, and the mineral explora-
tion company gains greater certainty."
Two recent examples of successful
Aboriginal engagement can be found
right here in British Columbia: New
Gold Inc.'s Blackwater project and
AuRico Gold's Kemess Underground
development project.
Aboriginal
engagement
TWO MADE-IN-B.C. EXAMPLES OF HOW TO DO IT RIGHT
By Peter Caulfield
Local employment: Michael
Peeman of the Ulkatcho First
Nation working at the Blackwater
project core shack.
