Revenue Sharing with First Nations
BC is the first province in Canada to enter into a revenue-sharing agreement with First Nations. This new policy assures First Nations that they will benefit once a mine is in production and paying taxes (it doesn’t apply to exploration and development projects that don’t generate revenue). Industry associations and executives support this agreement and believe it will help increase Aboriginal participation in mining.
Progressive New Partnerships
Canada’s mineral exploration and mining sector is now the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal people and has signed many agreements with First Nations across the country related to hiring, training, business development and environmental practices. As natural partners in resource development, they intend to further strengthen their ties by creating new opportunities for employment and business development.
The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), which represents the exploration and development side of the industry, and the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), the national voice of mining, smelting and refining companies, have each signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. The parties to these recently signed agreements have agreed to work together towards “greater certainty and sustainable mining developments that will contribute to the economic, social and environmental well-being of First Nations across the country.”
For more information on industry commitments to CSR in British Columbia, check out AME BC and MABC.
Real Life Stories
Jennifer Camille
Jennifer, a 53-year old member of the Skeetchestn Indian Band, had never been employed anywhere other than with her Band. She was frightened and nervous about working off reserve, but very determined to do so. In the spring of 2010, Jennifer completed an application with the BC AMTA, wrote the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) Assessment, completed a month of Essential Skills Upgrading and spent a great deal of time speaking with BC AMTA program coaches about her fears of entering into an unknown workforce.