Canada’s miners partner Assembly of First Nations

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has agreed a partnership with Canada’s Assembly of First Nations (AFN), which represents aboriginal people.

Both organisations plan to collaborate on federal consultation policy, land claims policy, human resource development and land use planning.

Canada’s mining industry is the largest private sector employer of aboriginal people and already agreements exist between the industry and First Nations communities.

These cover commitments on hiring, training, business development and environment practices.

Chief Phil Fontaine of the AFN has called the agreement a “great step forward … we are very proud to have MAC as our partner and we are very excited about the possibilities we have created by agreeing to work together more closely.”

He wants to see the continuation of practices that mean “First Nations are truly benefiting from resource developments that are taking place in their territories and lands.”

In addition, the agreement could enable improvements in education and skills development thus providing the skilled local labour force that the mining sector needs.

It should also allow First Nations representatives to be consulted from the very beginning of a mining development project.