NCN has signed an agreement to develop minerals in northern Manitoba

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A northern Manitoba First Nation has formalized a partnership with a Brazilian mining company as the community benefits from mining opportunities, but not everyone is happy with the new deal.

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On Friday, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) Chief Angela Levasseur announced a formal exploration agreement with Vale Base Metals (VBM), a mining company headquartered in Brazil but with Canadian operations based in Toronto.

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According to media reports, Vale is the world's largest producer of iron ore and nickel. It also produces manganese, ferroalloy, copper, bauxite, potash, kaolin and cobalt, and currently operates nine hydroelectric plants. Vale is considered the most valuable company in Latin America, with a market value of 111 billion USD in 2021.

Levasseur said Friday's agreement was a “significant milestone” for the northern community, home to about 3,000 on-reserve and another 2,100 off-reserve members.

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“This is an important step in strengthening our relationship with Vale for the betterment of our community and its members,” said Levasseur. “This agreement lays the foundation for a broader and richer cooperation in the future.”

NCN has regular meetings with company officials, preferential consideration for NCN qualified companies and employment through an exploration program, an environmental monitoring program led by NCN, and a financial commitment.

“The Exploration Agreement also provides for Vale and NCN to negotiate a comprehensive relationship agreement for Vale's operations in the NCN Territory, including ongoing and any future mining, milling and related activities will mark the way forward,” said the NCN media.

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The agreement may also include education and training, employment opportunities, business opportunities, financial participation, environmental and cultural protection, environmental control and mitigation.

“This exploration agreement is the starting point of a strong, generational relationship between NCN and VBM,” said Stacey Kennedy, Director of Manitoba Operations for Vale Base Metals. “Vail has a bright future in Manitoba and we want to work with NCN to leave a sustainable and responsible legacy on the land for the people who have lived here for thousands of years.”

But shortly after the agreement was signed, it came under fire from Hilda Anderson-Pierz, a community member and prominent advocate for local women and girls, who said on Friday that community members were not properly consulted before the agreement was signed. .

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“I am shocked and dismayed to learn that my nation has entered into an agreement with Vale Base Metals to explore for minerals on our land,” Anderson-Piertz wrote in a Facebook post on Friday.

“It is disappointing to learn that this decision was made without prior notice or consultation with the citizens of the Nisichavayasihk Cree Nation. May I remind the chief and council of their legal obligations and their duty to consult with citizens?”

Levasseur said he is now asking all NCN members to inform themselves about the deal and “not to jump to conclusions,” adding that there will be community consultations before the chief and council make further individual decisions about the deal.

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“Citizens of NSC, please read the press release so that you will be informed about the process. Jumping to conclusions and making assumptions is rarely smart,” Levasseur said. “This agreement only begins the community consultation process. We have never made important decisions without consulting our people and that will never change.”

He also dismissed allegations that there was no community consultation before Friday's announcement.

“NCN first disclosed that we were in preliminary talks with Vale in April/May 2023. As NCN management, we are working hard to inform our citizens.”

— Dave Baxter is a local journalism initiative reporter based out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Indigenous Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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