Onotassiniik Summer 2013 Edition

Onotassiniik Wawatay’s Mining Quarterly

WINDIGO

WINS Skookum Jim

Award

SUMMER 2013

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also

Oshki’s

MINING ESSENTIALS Get ready for

17,000 NEW JOBS BEST PRACTICES Community-Based Environmental Monitoring

Feature Columnists

GLENN NOLAN President, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada

Stan Sudol RepublicOfMining.com

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EDITORIAL

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1

Published quarterly by Wawatay Native Communications Society www.wawataynews.ca photo courtesy of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Chief Roger Wesley of Constance Lake greets students from Webequie gathered at his community’s Eagle’s Earth Cree and Ojibway Historical Centre for training in Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s Mining Essentials Program. The students are preparing for future mining jobs.

Trappers and miners

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elcome to the first edition of Onotassiniik (People who work with rocks) magazine.

The timing is right for Wawatay Native Communications to launch this quarterly publication, as northern Ontario and First Nations in the region prepare for what is expected to be an unprecedented mining boom. It arrives just as First Nations people are finally being welcomed into resource planning and development processes, insisting on a place at the table as full partners.

Billions of dollars and thousands of jobs are at stake in what many are calling a once in a generation opportunity. First Nations are positioning their communities to share fairly in these benefits, while ensuring their lands will sustain life for generations after the mines have closed.

Already in Canada more than 200 agreements have been signed between mining companies and Aboriginal communities, as noted in an Onotassiniik column by Glenn Nolan (page 8), a Missinabie Cree member and president of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC).

One of those is the Musselwhite Mine agreement between Goldcorp and First Nations in northwestern Ontario, which “embodies co-operation, understanding and mutual respect,” says Frank McKay, president of Windigo Ventures, in a story about the business success of Windigo Catering (page 18).

There is a tradition, perhaps not well known but stretching back at least to the 1940s, of First Nations people in this area working underground as miners. In some cases they canoed long distances from communities such as Kitchenuhmaykoosib, Bearskin Lake, Kasabonika Lake and Sandy Lake to mines in Pickle Crow, Red Lake and elsewhere.

In recent months, Moses Fiddler, an elder from Muskrat Dam now living in a long-term care home in Thunder Bay, has recounted to family members his days as a miner during the Second World War. The mine was located in an area where the Sachigo River meets the Severn River, he said. And both the minerals from the mine and some of his pay went toward the war effort, he told Jason Beardy, his grandson.

Even with that history, people in the First Nations of northern Ontario today are generally more trappers than geologists, says Eno H. Anderson of Kasabonika Lake.

And so he and others have, in recent years, encouraged Wawatay to provide a forum for sharing mining knowledge, challenges, best practices and vision as the mining boom approaches.

Gordon Kakegamic, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win manager of the education and training institute’s Mining Essential Program, says he had to build from scratch his knowledge of the mining industry, in the same way the program’s students must (page 12). “Everybody is in the same boat.”

So, here we are with the premier edition of Onotassiniik, together exploring the industry and the place of First Nations within it.

CEO

Managing Editor Magazines Editor/Writer

Sales Manager

Sales Representative

Graphic Designer

Translator

David Neegan Shawn Bell Bryan Phelan James Brohm Tom Scura Matthew Bradley Thomas Fiddler

Contributors Andy Fyon, Glenn Nolan, Stan Sudol Comments Bryan Phelan bryanp@wawatay.on.ca phone (807) 737-2951 ext. 2233 toll free 1-800-243-9059 fax (807) 737-2263 16 Fifth Ave. P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Advertising Tom Scura, Sales Representative toms@wawatay.on.ca phone (807) 344-3022 toll free 1-888-575-2349 fax (807) 344-3182 2nd Floor Royal Bank Building, Suite 202 Victoriaville Centre 620 Victoria Ave. East Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1A9

Bryan Phelan, Onotassiniik editor bryanp@wawatay.on.ca

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CONTENTS

COVER STORY

DEPARTMENTS

Windigo Catering received the 20013 Skookum Jim Award for outstanding achievement from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). The company is using its long-term success at Goldcorp’s Musselwhite Mine as a springboard for business growth.

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6 Quarterly Report

The Ontario government promises First Nations access to a Ring of Fire route.

7 Claims

Premier Wynne meets Matawa chiefs; Wynne cabinet ministers talk about mining benefits; NAN Grand Chief Yesno calls for treaty-wide benefit sharing.

20 Best Practices

The Northwest Territories has a model for effective, community-based environmental monitoring.

21 Q & A On the Cover: Photo courtesy of envisiondigitalphotography.com On behalf of Windigo Catering, Frank McKay, president of Windigo Ventures General Partner Ltd., accepts the Skookum Jim Award from Glenn Nolan, president of PDAC. Windigo Catering serves miners at the Musselwhite gold mine, shown in the background.

FEATURES 10 Into the Fire

A recent study makes the economic case for having a railway, rather than a road, become the transportation link to future mines in the Ring of Fire.

12 Mining Essentials

Webequie students get hands-on ‘mining essentials’ training through a mobile Oshki-Pimache-O-Win program, preparing them for some of the thousands of jobs expected to open in our region.

15 Neutral Ground

Lakehead University has launched a Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration. Its director envisions a role for the Centre as neutral broker between communities, mining companies and government, helping them find common ground.

Meet David de Launay, the new point man for the provincial Ring of Fire Secretariat’s community relations.

24 Ontario Geological Survey

Explaining the geology of Ontario and how it affects you.

25 ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᓯᓂᐃᐧ

ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᐊᐧᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᐃᓇᓄᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᓯᓂᐃᐧ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᑭᐣ ᐁᓯᓭᐦᐃᑯᔭᐣ.

26 Profile

Angela Prevost wades through snow five feet deep on her way to a special achievement at Northern College.

COLUMNS 8 Glenn Nolan, the first Aboriginal

president of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), on the Aboriginal program at the annual PDAC convention.

16 First Nations were left out of northern

Ontario’s resource boom of the 1950s, writes Stan Sudol. Now there is a second chance to get it right.

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Quarterly Report

Matawa honoured with business award Matawa First Nations Management and its Four Rivers Environmental Services Group received a 2013 Thunder Chamber of Commerce Business Award for environmental stewardship.

Sarah Cockerton, Four Rivers manager of environmental programs, accepted the award April 13 at an awards gala at the Victoria Inn. Four Rivers assists Matawa member First Nations with building capacity to manage land and water resources within their traditional territories. Environmental and technical staff provide information and education about mining, as well as training, certification and support services.

Matawa officially opened a new Four Rivers office March 21.

Partnership for reliable power to Pickle Lake, First Nations Goldcorp has joined 13 First Nations in northwestern Ontario in incorporating Wataynikaneyap Power, the group announced April 4.

It’s a step towards construction of a hydro transmission line to Pickle Lake, planned to start in 2014, and then connection of the electrical grid to 10 remote northern First Nations. Diesel generators now used are at capacity in several of those First Nations.

The new 300-kilometre line to Pickle Lake will replace an existing line subject to frequent power outages, and Goldcorp wants it to serve Musselwhite Mine.

“Wataynikaneyap Power is an example of how industry and First Nations can work together on projects that are good for the economy and the environment, while benefitting communities in the region for years to come,” said Gil Lawson, Musselwhite manager.

While 10 communities are targeted for connection in the second phase of the project, beginning in 2017, up to 21 communities could eventually be connected.

The April 4 announcement formally made Goldcorp a 50-50 partner in the project but the mining company will withdraw from the partnership when Wataynikaneyap finds a transmission company to join.

Noront likes Action Plan investment Noront Resources praised the federal government’s Economic Action Plan, announced March 21 – particularly $4.4 million budgeted over three years for the Ring of Fire’s Capacity Building Initiative, operated under FedNor. The Initiative supports communities near the Ring of Fire for activities such as business skills development, business planning and Aboriginal youth engagement, with the goal of helping First Nations benefit from resource development.

“We would like to thank the government for addressing the needs of our industry alongside the legitimate needs of our First Nations neighbours and partners,” said Paul Parisotto, chairman and interim CEO of Noront.

The company plans to begin development in 2015 of its Eagles Nest Mine – site of a nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit.

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Future Ring of Fire route open to First Nations Bryan Phelan Onotassiniik

T

he provincial government has changed its public position on First Nations access to any future all-weather road to the Ring of Fire. It now asserts that First Nations would have access to such a road.

Last fall, a spokesman for the ministry of Northern Development and Mines told Wawatay News a proposed road linking the Ring of Fire mining development to an existing highway south at Nakina would not connect to First Nations in the region, and residents of those communities would be excluded from using it. The province would help pay for construction of the 350-kilometre road but it would only be open to industrial users, the MNDM spokesman said, “to go in and get ore and minerals back out.” According to the province’s plan at the time, those companies would use the road on a pay-per-use basis.

First Nations bypassed along the way would include Webequie, Eabametoong, Neskantaga and Marten Falls – all members of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and the Matawa First Nations tribal council. “It doesn’t make economic sense, it doesn’t make moral sense and it’s just not going to happen that way,” Les Louttit, NAN deputy grand chief, said in November.

Apparently Louttit was right. MNDM communicated its new position March 15 when again asked about the province’s stance on the issue, after Kathleen Wynne replaced Dalton McGuinty as Ontario premier.

“The current expectation is that the all-season road would be available for use by industrial users and First Nations communities,” wrote Julia Bennett, an MNDM spokeswoman, in an e-mail response to Onotassiniik. “Access fees would be based on proportional road use, although specific terms are yet to be determined. Access fees would apply to industrial/commercial users and not First Nations communities.”

In addition, “Ontario is committed to working with First Nations communities on regional infrastructure planning, which would include consideration of community all-weather access roads,” Bennett said.

As Louttit noted previously, a yearround road link to the south would make important goods and services more

affordable and easier to get and for residents of First Nations that now depend on winter roads and air transportation. “It’s a matter of economics, really,” he said.

Meanwhile, a study commissioned

by KWG Resources – which through a subsidiary company holds a series a mining claims covering the proposed transportation route – makes the case that it makes more economic sense to build a railroad for future mines in the Ring of Fire.

(For details, please see the Stan Sudol column, Ring of Fire: rail or road to transport the mineral riches?, on page 10.)

KWG released the study’s findings in Les Louttit, NAN February.

“Ministry staff are Deputy Grand Chief currently reviewing the study,” said Bennett, on behalf of MNDM. “But that being said, companies looking to do business within the Ring of Fire determine their own transportation preferences as part of their respective business plans, and these are subject to requisite environmental assessments and other processes.”

The Crown also has to determine that its duty to consult has been addressed as part of any development moving forward in the Ring of Fire, Bennett added.

After Premier Wynne met with Matawa chiefs in Toronto, March 6, Chief Eli Moonias of Marten Falls shared the opinion with tbnewswatch.com that it didn’t matter whether a railway or road was built into the Ring of Fire, as long as access roads are built for First Nations use “so we can get out of this isolation.”

Coun. Elsie MacDonald of Webequie said to Onotassiniik in April her community isn’t ready to state its preference for a Ring of Fire transportation corridor. “One of the things as a First Nation we need to do is our own study on what Elsie MacDonald are the many options that are out there for corridors and how it will benefit our community … and let the community decide,” she said.

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CLAIMS “I was honoured to meet with the Matawa chiefs and hear about their priorities and hopes.”

–Premier Kathleen Wynne, who met with chiefs of the Matawa First Nations tribal council in Toronto, March 6. Chief Eli Moonias of Marten Falls said it was the first meeting between Matawa chiefs and an Ontario premier since 1975.

envisiondigitalphotography.com

“There is a lot at stake and we cannot afford to allow this development to stall and become mired in paralysis and uncertainty.”

–Tony Clement, federal minister for FedNor and president of the Treasury Board, speaking to the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Feb. 19, when it was also announced that Prime Minister Stephen Harper had appointed him lead minister for the Ring of Fire.

Ring of Fire

Steve Virtue / PDAC

☛☛

The Ring of Fire is a resource-rich region in the James Bay Lowlands of northern Ontario, spanning 5,000 square kilometres, with significant deposits of nickel, copper and chromite.

☛☛

It is potentially the biggest mining development northern Ontario has ever seen, estimated to contain $30-50 billion worth of minerals – enough to be mined for several decades.

☛☛

It has the potential to create more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in northern Ontario.

☛☛

There are 30,000 mining claims covering the area.

☛☛

Some 30 companies are actively exploring for minerals, spending some $80 million.

–from a March 3 speech by Tony Clement, minister Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention in Toronto

“With the discovery of the Ring of Fire … the northern Ontario economy will become the envy of all regions and will create good jobs for our children’s future.”

–Michael Gravelle, named minister of Northern Development and Mines in Premier Wynne’s cabinet, a position he previously held before becoming Natural Resources minister. Gravelle’s comment came March 1, when a new cabinet committee for northern Ontario was announced. Part of the committee’s work will be “improving vital access to the Ring of Fire.”

Wawatay News file photo

“If there’s a resource to be developed and it happens to be on (First Nations) traditional territory … the province has both a legal and moral obligation to consult. The important thing is that the parties sit down and talk about benefit sharing, revenue sharing, environmental issues, educational issues … and make sure everybody shares fairly in the rewards of the activity.”

–David Zimmer, in a February interview with Wawatay News, after bring appointed Ontario Aboriginal Affairs minister by Premier Wynne. She also made Aboriginal Affairs a stand-alone ministry.

Wawatay News file photo Wawatay News file photo

“Unless we are fully involved and part of the decision makers in the Ring of Fire area, no Ring of Fire is going to happen.”

“It is time for the government of Ontario to begin negotiations with our First Nations on treaty-wide resource revenue sharing so development can proceed in the North.”

–Chief Peter Moonias of Neskantaga, as reported by The Globe and Mail, on part of the message he and other Matawa chiefs delivered in their meeting with Premier Wynne.

–Grand Chief Harvey Yesno, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, sends a public message to new Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, Feb. 11 – the day she was sworn into office to replace Dalton McGuinty.

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Aboriginal sessions popular at PDAC convention Glenn Nolan

President, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada

envisiondigitalphotography.com

I

n the last decade, positive relationships have grown between Aboriginal communities and the mineral exploration and development industry.

I am a member of the Missanabie Cree First Nation in northern Ontario. My father worked at a nearby mine. I saw firsthand the benefits of this important industry, not only in my own life, but in the lives of my community members.

Since that time, the awareness by industry about what should be done to engage communities in a proactive and respectful way has grown tremendously, and that is very encouraging. We have made progress; more than 200 agreements have been signed between mining companies and Aboriginal communities in Canada. These projects range from grassroots exploration activities to producing mines across the country, with many resulting in employment and business opportunities for local Aboriginal communities. This is an exciting time for our communities, and for this sector.

As president of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), I am pleased to be in this role at such a dynamic time for our industry. I believe there is tremendous opportunity for Aboriginal communities and companies to work together in a respectful and collaborative manner.

Recognizing the importance of positive, trusting relationships between companies and communities, PDAC created an Aboriginal affairs committee in 2004 to examine community engagement practices and support Aboriginal participation in the mineral industry. Since 2008, PDAC has had a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in place with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) that established commitments to work together on regular dialogue between the mineral sector and our communities, collaborate on human resource initiatives and cooperate on public policy issues of mutual interest. One of the ways PDAC has been

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promoting greater Aboriginal participation is through our Aboriginal program at the annual PDAC convention.

The Aboriginal program at this year’s convention once again proved to be a great success, drawing large crowds comprised of industry and Aboriginal community members. The program provided a platform for discussion on fostering mutually co-operative, respectful and successful relationships between Aboriginal communities and the mineral industry.

A highlight of the program, the Aboriginal forum, showcased models for partnerships and Aboriginal participation in the mineral industry. Following opening remarks from Bob MacLeod, premier of the Northwest Territories, and Greg Rickford, member of Parliament for Kenora, this year’s forum featured a presentation by Steven Nitah from the Lutsel K’e Dene Nation, who shared the community’s experience with building relationships with companies operating in its traditional territory. The forum also included a case history of the

Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention 2013

☛☛

More than 30,000 people attended the annual convention of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in Toronto, March 3-6. They included investors, analysts, mining executives, geologists, government officials, students, and international delegations. It’s the largest event of its kind in the world.

☛☛

The role natural resource development plays in the economic sustainability for Aboriginal communities across Canada is evident by the increased interest from Aboriginal people. There were more than 600 self-identified Aboriginal delegates at PDAC 2013.

☛☛

This was the fourth year for a series of sessions on corporate social responsibility at the PDAC convention.

More than 500 people attended. Topics ranged from maximizing environmental and social performance during exploration to the business value of corporate social responsibility for junior and mid-tier companies. Panelists who participated represented First Nation communities, government agencies, international associations, Canadian universities, mining and exploration companies, and advocacy organizations.

– PDAC eNews, March 15, 2013

Denedeh Investments Corporation and a presentation on how to engage with Métis communities.

Continuing on the success of last year, the sessions had standing room only.

Overall topics centred on engagement, the government’s duty to consult, and agreements between companies and Aboriginal communities. Speakers from across Canada, including Shawn Batise of the Wabun Tribal Council, Ginger Gibson representing the TliCho Government, and Todd Russell from the NunatuKavut Community Council, offered unique insights to evolving engagement practices, enterprises that flow from companycommunity agreements and some of the capacity challenges that communities face throughout the consultation process.

Other key highlights included the presentation of PDAC’s Skookum Jim Award, given this year to Windigo Catering in recognition of its involvement in the mineral industry. The Aboriginal technical session featured discussions on building capacity for economic independence, new community engagement practices, and negotiating impact and benefit agreements that lead to a positive legacy for communities.

In addition to the Aboriginal program at the convention, PDAC’s Aboriginal affairs department undertakes initiatives and activities to promote greater understanding and co-operation between Aboriginal communities and the mineral industry in Canada. While advocating for policy, such as government resource revenue sharing and the resolution of land claims, PDAC participates in conferences and meetings central to Aboriginal issues in Canada. The development of research and tools such as the Exploration and Mining Guide for Aboriginal Communities is also an integral element of the department.

Across our industry we see jobs without people in regions where there are people without jobs. There is a natural fit for Aboriginal people to fill that gap, become industry specialists, as well as develop businesses to service mineral exploration and development projects. I envision a future in which communities take ownership of exploration programs, hire their own people and secure licences to develop projects. When such a vision becomes a reality, the PDAC Aboriginal affairs committee will have fulfilled its mandate. Until then, there is more work to be done.

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New Opportunities for First Nations Youth will Build a Sustainable Future for Communities.

Cliffs Natural Resources is committed to working with First Nations communities to enhance current training programs, and develop new training options for First Nations youth.

The message is clear.

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Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities for employment on Cliffs’ Chromite Project for First Nations youth. These opportunities will assist in building a sustainable new future for communities.

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Ring of Fire: Stan Sudol Onotassiniik Columnist

W

ithout a doubt, the number one technical issue that will make or break the Ring of Fire’s enormous economic potential – currently estimated at $60 billion for world-class chromite deposits alongside nickel, copper and platinum group metals – is transportation infrastructure.

Located in the isolated James Bay lowlands of northern Ontario, the closest infrastructure to the Ring of Fire is 330 km south in the community of Nakina, where the Canadian National Railway and the end of Highway 584 intersect.

Last May, Cliffs Natural Resources announced its decision to move its $3.2-billion chromite project to the feasibility phase and since then the Ontario government has decided to “support in principle” the north-south infrastructure corridor. Cliffs’ current “base-case” plan is for the construction of an estimated $600-million road with significant financial participation from Ontario taxpayers.

Junior explorer KWG Resources has been advocating a railroad to transport the chromite concentrate. Through the company’s Canada Chrome subsidiary, it controls the key strategic transportation route into the region, as well as 30 per cent of the Big Daddy chromite deposit. Cliffs needs the junior’s permission to build on their claims. KWG also recently released a study on the economics of transporting chromite concentrate.

Perhaps a little background on chromite and the economics of mining this strategic mineral might be helpful before we continue.

Strategic but inexpensive chromite Chromium is one of the most important industrial metals and there is no substitute for its unique properties. It is used for aircraft engines, consumer product plating, and specialty stainless steels and superalloys. Like nickel, there are many critical military uses and it is in the best interests for the U.S. Pentagon that a large strategic deposit is developed in a politically secure part of the globe.

Once the chrome ore is dug out of the ground in the Ring of Fire, it will be milled into a concentrate on site and then transported to a furnace in Sudbury and refined into ferrochrome. Compared to

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rail or road to transport the mineral riches?

Ontario Mining and Lands nickel ($7.30 US/lb) or copper ($3.40/lb), Commission hearings the average price for ferrochrome last year In Ontario, unpatented mining claims do was about $1.19 US/lb. not include surface rights and other parties And unlike the very rich ore in the can ask for an easement, which in many Sudbury Basin that produces nickel, copper, cases can be a short road. As long as these gold, silver, platinum group metals and easements do not conflict with mineral a few others – which allows the mines development, they are usually granted. In to remain profitable much longer during January of this year, Cliffs petitioned the cyclical price swings – the chrome ore from mining commissioner for an easement on the Ring of Fire has no other economic KWG’s claims in order to build a roughly byproducts. Production costs must be 330-kilometre road into the Ring of Fire. carefully managed or chromite mines KWG refused, as can become they want their land uneconomical to be used for a very quickly railroad. There may if/when the not be enough room ferrochrome to accommodate price plummets both on the narrow, due to higher sandy ridges increased or eskers that competition are much easier or economic and less costly to slowdowns. build upon than The major the surrounding concern about swampy lowlands. chromite is The shortage of the reliability aggregate is also a of the three major problem. top producers, A hearing was which are held at the Ontario South Africa, Mining and Lands Kazakhstan Commission’s and India. They Toronto offices in account for early February. Due almost 80 per to the complexity cent of world of the case, a final production. By decision is not far, South Africa expected until later is the largest in the year. If Cliffs producer, wins, the result supplying would likely be almost half more court battles of global and continued chromium costly delays. If output. Both KWG wins, Cliffs South Africa needs to get back and Kazakhstan Canada Chrome proposed alignment to the negotiating have political table and work out some sort of mutually stability issues, making the high-quality beneficial agreement. chromite deposits in Ontario enormously The current road project is just a “baseattractive. case” scenario and Cliffs has said the South African chromite deposits are project would not be economically viable found in the Bushveld region in extensive if the company had to pay for the route by reefs – similar to layers in a cake – and itself. Hence, the province has committed to are generally one to two metres thick, help finance the road but to what extent has so therefore are very expensive to mine. yet to be decided.

The chromite deposits in the Ring of Fire There is nothing wrong with Ontario’s are often 120 feet thick and occur in a participation with this project, as the history vertical sheet beginning at surface, with of mining development in Canada has many significantly lower mining costs.

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Cliffs Natural Resources President & CEO Joseph A. Carrabba Corporate Headquarters Cleveland, Ohio Cliffs Chromite Ontario Inc. Offices Thunder Bay & Toronto

☛☛

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is an international mining and natural resources company. It operates multiple iron ore and coal mines in North America and two iron ore mining complexes in Western Australia.

☛☛

In 2010, Cliffs acquired the largest known chromite deposits in North America, located in the Ring of Fire area of northern Ontario. Cliffs’ Black Thor chromite deposit is potentially world class. The company has been developing plans, subject to environmental assessment, for mining chromite and producing ferrochrome for sale to steel makers around the world.

– www.cliffsnaturalresources.com

examples of transportation infrastructure being built and paid for by governments.

But should it be a road or, as KWG has been proposing, a railway?

Each year, Cliffs will be transporting an estimated 2.3-million tonnes of concentrate from its Black Thor property that would entail roughly 100 truck trips each way per day. These massive 70-tonne haul trucks will be scheduled in convoys roughly 45 minutes apart. Furthermore, the environmental impact of 100 trucks running on diesel fuel would be significant as opposed to a few train trips a day.

While initially reports suggested the road would be only for industrial use, the outcry from First Nation communities had probably killed that idea. Recent indications are that the road will be shared with other users, including Aboriginal communities, but how this will occur, as safety is a huge issue, has not been worked out.

For economic reasons, mineral concentrates are almost always moved long distances by train. Cliffs feels that the current concentrate volumes cannot justify the construction of a railroad. However, in a June 2011 public presentation, the company stated that it “is very supportive of the rail vision for the Ring of Fire – this would have a dramatic effect on the district’s ability to compete worldwide! …

Rail is the ultimate solution that will create a world-class mining district.” Cliffs later clarified that while everyone agrees rail is a good long-term option, construction costs would be prohibitive.

KWG/Tetra Tech report KWG Resources recently released a report, by engineering consulting company Tetra Tech, on the costs of a road versus a railroad.

The study confirmed the initial capital costs (direct and indirect) to construct a single track railroad were about 50 per cent higher than for a road – $1.551 billion versus $1.051 billion.

However, the annual operating costs would be considerably cheaper for the railroad. The study found that annual labour, trucks and fuel maintenance budget for the road would be $183 million as opposed to about $31 million for the railroad.

The report estimates – based on public information – that the region has the potential to produce about 220 million tonnes of ore per annum. The cost figures were based on a baseline transportation capacity of three million tonnes per annum, giving an estimated mine life of about 73 years.

The study also found there is not enough aggregate to build both a road and railroad as some suggest will eventually happen.

The most cost-competitive solution would be to build the railroad first, then eventually bring in additional aggregate at a must cheaper cost to construct a future road.

The study concluded that annual operating expenses for the railroad would decrease with larger volumes shipped.

Last fall, an Ontario Northland Transportation Corporation (ONTC) unionbacked proposal called for the transfer of the provincial Crown corporation’s railroad and other assets to a newly established federal port authority that would operate under the Canada Marine Act. A port authority is a special purpose district formed by the federal government to operate ports and surprisingly, airports and railroads as well. This proposed port authority would be able to raise private sector funds – with the backing of the federal government – to finance the railroad.

We need to have an adult conversation with all the major stakeholders – Cliffs, Noront, KWG, the two levels of government, and First Nations communities – in the same room. This is a transformational project that will provide enormous economic benefits for both northern and southern Ontario, and significantly help alleviate Aboriginal poverty on the reserves.

There is no doubt the $1.5-billion railway proposal is the cheaper and environmentally sustainable option.

It is more than justified, due to the multigenerational nature of the chromite deposits and the high probability of many other mineral discoveries in the years to come. Furthermore, these rich chromite deposits have potential to displace lower

quality sources from South Africa and elsewhere.

Whether the infrastructure gets funded through public-private partnerships, a bond issue, direct low-cost government borrowing, through a port authority or some other entity, the long-term benefits for the entire country are enormous.

Since the federal government has the financial clout to guarantee any of these options, similar to the recently backed Newfoundland and Labrador Muskrat Falls $7.7-billion hydro project, the recent announcement of Tony Clement as Prime Minister Harper’s lead minister on the Ring of Fire is very positive.

KWG / Canada Chrome Corporation President & CEO Frank C. Smeenk Head Office Montréal, Québec

☛☛

KWG Resources Inc. (KWG) is an exploration company participating in the discovery and development of chromite deposits in the James Bay Lowlands of northern Ontario.

☛☛

KWG discovered diamondbearing kimberlite pipes near Attawapiskat and five more near the Ring of Fire area in 1994. This led to the accidental discovery of McFaulds Lake copper-zinc deposits in 2002, precipitating a staking rush that defined the Ring of Fire. Within that region, KWG has earned a 30 per cent interest in the Big Daddy chromite deposit.

☛☛

Canada Chrome Corporation (CCC) was created as a wholly-owned subsidiary of KWG. As of June 2011, Canada Chrome Corporation had invested $15 million in engineering studies of its preferred transportation corridor from Nakina to the Ring of Fire.

– www.kwgresources.com

The Ring of Fire is one of the most important Canadian mineral discoveries in the country’s entire history.

The decision on what form of transportation to build must be based on the economic long-term benefits of the entire region instead of the short-term gains for Cliffs’ shareholders. The first priority for the taxpayers of this province must be to construct a railroad.

Stan Sudol is a Toronto-based mining analyst, communications consultant and owner/editor of the RepublicOfMining.com website. www.republicofmining.com

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Building a skilled First Nations mining workforce Trades training, life skills education help Webequie students chase dreams Shawn Bell

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Onotassiniik

hen the instructor leaves the trailer, the four young men from Webequie First Nation huddle around the heavy diesel engine. They have been instructed to put it back together, after spending the morning taking it apart.

Having to leave home for the course added some challenges.

Nearly all of the students – who range in age from late teens to late 50s – have children at home, and the hands-on part of the course is held over two 10-day sessions, with a four-day break in the middle when they return to Webequie to see their families. But in other ways, having to leave home adds an element of reality to the course. The students are, after all, training for jobs in the Ring of Fire mining development that will come with extended periods of time away from their community.

“In some ways it worked out better,” says Gordon Kakegamic, Oshki’s e-learning coordinator and program manager of the Mining Essentials Program. “We modelled it after the industry model, with 10 days on and four days off. Plus they were in a remote location, living in the same bunkhouse, so it was very much like what they will see on a mine site.”

In quick Oji-Cree, mixed with lots of laughter, there is a debate going on. The pile of nuts and bolts on the bench fit somewhere. There is no consensus where.

Eventually Simon Shewaybick grabs a foot-long combination wrench and starts tightening the bolts. The others follow suit.

When the pile of bolts is gone, the four of them pause akegamic has for a moment. They are been working on still not sure, but there is developing the Mining nothing left to attach.

Essentials Program for When they flip the nearly five years, since engine upright, a he first heard from single bolt falls to leaders in the Wabun the floor with a Tribal Council that crash. Everyone their youth needed laughs. training to enter the The engine burgeoning northern is flipped over Ontario mining again, and it is industry. In many back to work. ways, Kakegamic Later that day says, his own Edgar Jacob experiences over says this is the the past five years sort of hands-on mirror those of the experience he students enrolling in was looking for the course. He had when he signed to build from scratch up for Oshkihis own knowledge Pimache-O-Win’s of a mining industry Mining Essentials quickly coming to Program. He wants dominate the future to be a mechanic, development of the but in Webequie his North. experiences working “Everybody is in the same on engines are limited to boat,” Kakegamic says of First snowmachines and chainNations, northern Ontario cities saws. Besides, he says, there and towns, and the education are no jobs back home and institutions of the North. “There’s a everyone is gearing up to work in steep learning curve transitioning from the Ring of Fire, including him. forestry to mining.”

“I’m learning a lot,” Jacob says. “This Besides Mining Essentials, Oshki is working photo courtesy of has been a new experience.” on developing mining literacy amongst First Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Jacob is one of 16 students from Webequie Nation elementary and high school students through its taking Oshki’s first mobile training course. Originally Learning 2 Mine web portal. Work is also underway on an essential the plan was to bring the course – which is fully contained in two skills/life skills program for youth who have not graduated from semi-truck trailers – to them in Webequie. But the early winter Grade 12 but want to work in the mining industry. weather played havoc with the plan to transport the trailers up the Kakegamic views Oshki’s work as a ladder, starting with educating winter road, so the students ended up being flown out of Webequie youth on mining and working up to the Mining Essentials Program to study at Constance Lake First Nation’s beautiful Eagle’s Earth that serves as an introduction to actual employment on a mine site.

Cree and Ojibway Historical Centre.

K

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“We have a vested interest in building a skilled workforce in “The vision is to get First Nations youth to the point where they can decide whether they want to work in the mining industry,” the North,” says Leanne Hall, Noront’s vice-president of human resources. “Every community wants to be involved in getting jobs, Kakegamic says. “Our programs are geared at getting them either into jobs, or into post-secondary education for better paying jobs.” and we understand that everybody will benefit by building a workFortunately for First Nations people interested in mining work, the force in Aboriginal communities.” industry is on board when it comes to training initiatives that will Noront estimates there are more than 100 different career paths lead to employment in the sector. within a single mining operation – everything from underground In the case of Oshki’s Mining Essentials Program, Cliffs Natural miners to heavy-duty mechanics to accountants and environResources has gotten behind the course. The company, one of mental monitors. Through the partnership with KKETS, Hall says the the biggest players in the Ring of Fire, brought the students from company plans to utilize its construction phase to get First Nations Webequie to its Black Thor deposit exploration site for a four-day people trained to work at its mine, once opened. stay to job shadow and get experience at a remote mine site.

The company also promises to give “due consideration” to gradn Kakegamic’s view, the Oshki program fits well with training uates of the course when entry-level positions open, either during initiatives such as the one announced by KKETS. He sees the construction or operation of the mine.

Mining Essentials Program as an introduction to the “We hope that students will learn valuable trades, and a starting point for students to pursue employment skills needed to obtain entry-level, post-secondary education in mining related fields – in some ways a feeder system for non-technical positions in the industry,” programs offered at post-secondary writes Jennifer Mihalcin, Cliffs’ public affairs representative, in an e-mail. “We institutions.

His vision is backed by the fact that are also very much looking forward nearly all of the Webequie students to working with the students to help are examining post-secondary them realize their potential and options for next year. They have career aspirations.”

For companies such as Cliffs, earned 120 hours towards an apprenticeship through the helping to develop a First Oshki course. If they do proceed Nations workforce for future in one of the trades, they have a northern Ontario mines is head start on the 2,000 hours essential, considering the needed for an apprenticeship. labour needs of the company On top of the hands-on and the labour pool in the trades training, the students North. Cliffs predicts it will in Mining Essentials have need 1,200 workers in its also completed 240 hours of construction phase, and a job readiness program that roughly the same number focuses on life and workplace once the mine opens. Noront skills – skills that will help Resources, proponent of whether students go on to more another Ring of Fire mine, estieducation or go straight into the mates it will need 600 workers workforce. for construction and another 600 during operations. According to As an added bonus to the course, some analysts, those are just two of the students receive a certificate of what could be nine or more operating industry standard for completing the mines in the region over the next 10 to life and workplace training component, photo: Shawn Bell 20 years. curriculum that was developed by MIHR From left, Rudy Mekanak, Simon A report on mining in northwestern in partnership with the Assembly of First Shewaybick and Edgar Jacob take Ontario, done by the Mining Industry Human Nations. apart the diesel engine and put it Resources Council (MIHRC), one of the partners in Back at Eagle’s Earth, Mining Essentials instructor back together. the Mining Essentials Program, estimated that more than Peter Pagnutti of Cambrian College is pushing the students 17,000 trained people are needed for employment in the mining to pursue further studies in the trade of their choice. Besides diesel industry. And in its most recent Aboriginal economic benchmark, mechanics, he has taught them introductory courses in welding and the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board noted what electrical circuits. Now it is up to them to follow their interests. mining companies already understand – that for Canada’s future “Which way do you want to go?” Pagnutti asks. “It’s like any labour pool to meet the country’s needs, the rapidly growing job – you get good at something you enjoy doing. But how do you Aboriginal population has to be educated and involved in meeting know what you enjoy doing if you don’t try them out? That’s why those needs. they purchased these trailers, to bring the trades to them. Now, if “We call on governments to provide more investments, as we the interest is there, they can continue their education or get an have trained but 15 of the 17,004 potential employees that will be apprenticeship.” needed,” says Rosie Mosquito, Oshki’s executive director. “There is For student Rudy Mekanak, the course has provided a glimpse into more work to be done.” opportunities available for his future. It was his first time handling a The Oshki program is not the only mining training initiative welding torch, wiring a circuit board or taking apart a diesel engine. targeting First Nations people of northern Ontario. A recently And while the 12-hour days were long and the 10 consecutive days announced multi-million dollar partnership between Matawa First of work took its toll, he understands that getting further education is Nation tribal council’s Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and essential for his future employment.

Training Services (KKETS), Noront Resources and Confederation “I came here to learn new things,” Mekanak says. “Every training College also aims to help members of the nine Matawa First Nations get employment in the mining sector. continued on page 14

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photo: Shawn Bell

From left, Cody Mekanak, Luke Meekis and Dylan Jacob work on a heavy diesel engine as part of hands-on training during Oshki’s Mining Essentials program.

continued from page 13 course I take, I’m learning how to handle things safely, how to do things in the proper way.”

The benefit of the training may also trickle down to the First Nation directly.

While Robert Jacob came to the training course with the intention of getting a job with Cliffs or another Ring of Fire mining company in the future, he says the skills he is learning should come in handy on the reserve as well.

“Back home in Webequie we mostly deal with small engines, snowmobiles, chainsaws,” Jacob says as he takes a break from working on a heavy diesel engine.

“But we’re starting to have these sorts of heavy equipment as well. And there are not

many mechanics in our reserve. This might be better for us than hiring highly paid mechanics from other places.”

Meanwhile, Shewaybick, Edgar Jacob and their peers have the diesel engine back together, all pieces secure. Pagnutti gives it a pull and the gears turn like clockwork, as the students look on proudly.

“They have a good common knowledge and fantastic work ethics,” Pagnutti says of the students. “Mostly they’ve never seen these things before, it’s all new to them, and yet they’re picking it up really quickly.”

The Webequie students have not only impressed their instructor. The course has impressed Kakegamic and the folks at Oshki, who are now working to get funding to bring it to other communities across the North. And as the Ring of Fire companies

Oshki Mining Essentials Program For more information about Oshki’s Mining Essentials Program or delivery of a community-based project in your First Nation, contact: Peter Rasevych, Coordinator, Oshki Mining Essentials Program phone: (807) 626-1887 email: prasevych@oshki.ca

such as Cliffs and Noront continue pushing towards a 2017 start date, the successful education of the Webequie students is an example of how the future mining labour force can come primarily from the North.

photo courtesy of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win

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LU launches centre of mining excellence Bryan Phelan Onotassiniik

L

akehead University hopes its new Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration (CESME) will play an important role in the economic development of northern Ontario.

And working with First Nations, along with Métis and other local communities, will be a key aspect of CESME’s research, education and outreach activities.

“Building better relationships between mining companies and the communities where they work will be critical to the development of northern Ontario,” Dr. Pete Hollings, CESME director, said when announcing the Centre’s opening. “The strength of that relationship determines how successful the company and the community will be in capitalizing on the natural resources and opportunities that come from mining. CESME will work with our partners to help develop a new model for community engagement that will solidify that engagement from the start.”

Hollings, who is also chairman of the geology department at LU, and Dr. Brian Stevenson, the Thunder Bay university’s president, launched CESME March 4 at the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention in Toronto.

“CESME is the evolution of our efforts to lead the region by helping prepare mining companies, communities and citizens for the boom that will occur when the Ring of Fire and other mines start producing,” Stevenson said.

With that boom, notes the CESME website, will come “challenges regarding how to best undertake sustainable development, while ensuring environmental protection and respecting constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.

CESME will address those challenges by linking Lakehead University researchers and partners from First Nations, Métis, government, and industry.”

The first step, Hollings tells Onotassiniik, will be for those partners to identify problems and concerns. “We want to … develop research programs to help them.

We’re not trying to identify the problems ourselves.”

With First Nations, however, some concerns are already emerging.

“Some of the things we know they’re concerned about,” says Hollings, “is

equitable distribution of wealth from these development projects, if and when they happen; how to measure the impacts of development – is it jobs, maintenance of traditional activities; the impact of road access; what impact … from the wages these jobs might bring in; the impact of additional population on areas that have traditionally been dominated by First Nations communities. Those are all some of the things that we know communities are concerned about, and we’re thinking about.”

The next step would be to offer practical help from researchers and graduate students in various LU departments – geology, engineering, natural resources management, indigenous studies, biology, chemistry, anthropology, sociology and

benefits associated with development, and so on.

Hollings hopes to have at least a couple of LU graduate students started on such practical work through CESME by September. CESME will not be enrolling its own undergraduate students.

T

he Centre has a head start on the kind of “community-engaged” research it hopes to do with First Nations because LU already has researchers – perhaps 15 to 20 of them, Hollings guesses, from various departments – already working with communities.

He cites a couple of examples.

“There are folks from the anthropology department who are involved in dealing with environmental assessment activities

photo courtesy of Lakehead University Lakehead University campus in Thunder Bay.

business administration – whom CESME will bring together because they share the Centre’s goals.

“So, we will be meeting with the communities to discuss what their research challenges are,” Hollings says. “And then we’ll look around at the individuals we have at Lakehead and see who can address those concerns and challenges.”

For example, he says, “If a community had concerns about collecting their traditional knowledge and how to make that available, telling their own story, we can provide them with researchers who have experience in doing that.” If desired, other expertise might be shared for land use mapping or analyzing costs versus

and doing archaeological surveys and collecting traditional knowledge,” he says.

“And then there are … people from natural resources management who are talking (with communities) about treaty rights.”

Hollings sees a future role for CESME in helping educate mining companies about treaties, through training courses and workshops. Different interpretations of treaties by First Nations and the Crown creates challenges for mining companies, he says, when those companies would prefer a simple answer along the lines of: “If we do A, B and C, everything is good.”

However, “The reality is that it’s not that simple.”

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Mining future is bright for First Stan Sudol

Onotassiniik Columnist

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hile this year’s Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) mining convention was filled with gloom and doom for both junior explorers and large miners, let’s remember we are still in the middle of one of the largest expansions of mining activity in the history of mankind. Even in past commodity super cycles – the most recent occurred from the mid 1940s to the late 1970s – there were significant “corrections” but the overall trend was always upwards.

Well-respected Scotia Commodity expert Patricia Mohr recently stated she feels there will be a slowdown in exploration and mining activity in the next few years but the “bull run” will return in the second half of the decade.

As hundreds of millions of people in China, India and other developing nations urbanize and industrialize, they will need the minerals we dig out of the ground in northern Ontario and Canada. Mining has always been a boom and bust business and it is no different this time.

However, this slowdown will also give the First Nations surrounding the Ring of Fire time to access their training and infrastructure needs; complete and resolve environmental studies; as well as resolve outstanding resource revenue-sharing issues with governments.

But it is not only two major mines in the isolated Ring of Fire, Cliffs and Noront, generating excitement and hope in the northwest. Seven other advanced exploration projects and one proposed expansion – all within or near existing infrastructure – have the potential to create thousands of direct jobs and joint venture business opportunities. These projects range from open pit gold mines by Rainy River Resources and Osisko Resources to the Stillwater platinum group metalscopper project and the Bending Lake iron property.

The city of Thunder Bay, in partnership with the Fort William First Nation, has just completed a draft report titled Advantage Northwest – Mining Readiness Strategy that recommends appropriate government investments in power and transportation infrastructure, and training initiatives. One recent estimate put the value of minerals in the ground from these 10 projects at approximately $130 billion, and many feel this figure could go much higher.

16

This reminds me of the 1950s when the entire northern Ontario economy boomed supplying mineral and forest products to rapidly growing North America, Europe and Japan, which were rebuilding after the Second World War. From 1951 to 1961, northern Ontario’s population grew to 722,000 from 536,000 – the largest increase in its history.

The North’s resource wealth and taxes contributed enormously to building the world-class infrastructure and social programs that benefited the entire province.

That boom generated tens of thousands of well-paying industrial jobs and created labour shortages throughout the North.

My Polish immigrant parents moved to Sudbury due to the many jobs in the nickel mines. My father worked for Inco Limited.

He built his own house in a thriving working class neighbourhood, and helped raise two boys with a stay-at-home mother.

The only tragedy of that prosperous era was not including the many Aboriginal communities in northern Ontario’s resource boom.

One recent estimate put the value of minerals in the ground from these 10 projects at approximately $130 billion.

Much of the poverty in the region’s First Nation communities would have been alleviated with the abundance of work that allowed my parents and the tens of thousands of other immigrants to have decent livelihoods and the ability to send their children to college or university. We missed a great opportunity to establish a large Aboriginal middle class!

W

ith this resource boom, Canada and Ontario have been given a second chance to “right a historical wrong” with northern First Nation communities. It has not been a smooth process so far; mistakes have been made.

But there are many success stories that are often overlooked by mainstream media.

Detour Gold recently started production at its open-pit gold mine north of Cochrane, Ontario. The company spent $400 million on Aboriginal businesses or joint ventures during the construction phase, and roughly 25 per cent of its workforce is from

Musselwhite Mine regional First Nation communities. Detour is also working hard to ensure operational contracts such as catering and building of tailing dams are with Aboriginal joint ventures.

Two summers ago, a visit by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Agnico-Eagle’s Meadowbank gold mine near Baker Lake, Nunavut highlighted the enormous benefits of mining for the local Inuit. About 38 per cent of the 1,100 employed are Inuit from the Kivalliq Region. AgnicoEagle has implemented extensive internal training programs to help Inuit advance in the workforce by learning new skills. In 2011, almost 48 per cent or $57 million of Meadowbank mining expenditures went to Nunavut-based suppliers. And royalties will be flowing to the Inuit through their umbrella organization, Nunavut Iunngavik Inc. During the development and construction phase at Vale’s Voisey’s Bay, Newfoundland nickel mine, in excess of $500 million was spent with Aboriginal contractors. About 54 per cent of the workforce at Voisey’s Bay is from surrounding First Nation communities and almost 80 per cent of the mine’s annual operating expenditures are with Aboriginal businesses.

From 1996 to 2011, the three diamond mines in the Northwest Territories spent $4.2 billion, 33 per cent of total expenditures, with Aboriginal companies.

First Nations secondary school enrolment increased from 36 per cent to 56 per cent, while the number of Aboriginal people receiving social assistance dropped by 50 per cent.

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There are similar successes at Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan project in northern Quebec, at the uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan and at Goldcorp’s Musselwhite gold mine in northwestern Ontario. Even to the northeast at the De Beers Victor diamond mine, notwithstanding recent protests by some community members, almost half the workforce is Aboriginal and about 100 come from Attawapiskat.

The mining industry is the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal people in Canada. According to a recent Ontario Mining Association economic study, First Nations account for 9.7 per cent of the province’s mining workforce, while the corresponding figure nationally is 7.5 per cent. Aboriginal people represent 3.8 per cent of the Canadian population.

The future of sustainable mining in northern Ontario and Canada depends on close, mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations communities. There are still many challenges to overcome and the path to success will need a lot of goodwill on all sides, as well as a financial commitment from governments for health, education, training and other infrastructure needs.

But it’s worth the effort for the next generation of Aboriginal children who will have enormous economic opportunities their elders never had.

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SCHEDULE Issue

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For more information or to book your ad please email Tom Scura toms@wawatay.on.ca

Stan Sudol is a Toronto-based mining analyst, communications consultant and owner/editor of the RepublicOfMining.com website (www.republicofmining.com).

Note: Prices are for insertion in one issue of Onotassiniik. All ads are full colour. Special positioning requests (right-hand page, specific section) are subject to availability. A 10% surcharge will be applied to the price of the ad space.All prices are subject to HST.

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Windigo Catering wins Skookum Jim Award Bryan Phelan Onotassiniik

H

undreds of people dressed in black ties and business attire gathered for a mining awards event at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) hosted the awards, March 4, as part of its annual convention, which attracted delegates from around the world. PDAC Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the Canadian mineral industry.

At the awards reception and dinner, live jazz music played during the three-course meal. Among the seven award-winners seated at the head table was Frank McKay, president of Windigo Ventures General Partner Ltd. It’s a for-profit company set up by five member communities of Windigo First Nations Council in northwestern Ontario – Bearskin Lake, Cat Lake, North Caribou Lake, Sachigo Lake, and New Slate Falls. It’s also the parent company of Windigo Catering Limited Partnership, honoured this night as the winner of the Skookum Jim Award for Aboriginal achievement in the mineral industry.

A short video introduced Windigo Catering and its accomplishments to the audience. A

map pinpointing the location of the ownership communities and scenes from Goldcorp’s Musselwhite Mine, Windigo Catering’s main client, illustrated how far these places are from downtown Toronto. And how far Windigo has come in the development of its business.

W

indigo has provided catering and housekeeping services to the Musselwhite gold mine at its remote flyin camp on Opapimiskan Lake, about 100 kilometres north of Pickle Lake, since the late 1990s. Beginning with 30 employees, Windigo first offered these services through its notfor-profit Windigo Community Development Corporation, until Windigo Catering launched in 2005.

Now Windigo Catering realizes $6 million in revenue per year for its services at Musselwhite, which in addition to food and housekeeping includes janitorial, laundry, light maintenance and camp management.

Even before production at the mine started in 1997, Windigo’s non-profit corporation got involved in the construction of its camp and a road.

The relationship with Musselwhite is based on an agreement between Windigo

First Nations Council and Goldcorp that requires jobs, training and economic development opportunities for First Nations people from the signatory communities, along with environmental protection. Windigo First Nations Council also receives monthly revenue sharing from the mine as part of the deal. photos courtesy of Windigo Catering Mary Ellen Thomas, a Windigo Catering chef, stirs some ‘gourmet comfort food’; inset, Musselwhite miners line up for a meal.

Skookum Jim The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada named its Aboriginal mining achievement award after ‘Skookum’ Jim Mason.

Mason was a Tagish guide and packer in the Yukon whose gold discovery led to the great Klondike Gold Rush. “Known for his physical strength, he carried huge loads and once fought hand-to-hand with a wounded bear,” notes Tourism Yukon, earning him the nickname Skookum – translated to English as “Strong.”

According to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, four men are actually credited with starting the Yukon gold rush in 1896 – George Carmack, his two Taglish Indian partners Skookum Jim and Dawson Charlie, and Robert Henderson.

It is widely thought that Skookum Jim actually found the first gold nuggets, but due to the racism of the time, Carmack arranged to sign his name with Mason on the discovery claim to avoid any problems with officials when recording the find.

–with files from Stan Sudol, RepublicOfMining.com

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“The Musselwhite agreement embodies co-operation, understanding and mutual respect,” McKay said when Skookum Jim Award was announced. “Our relationship is based on shared values, and continues to strengthen as we provide increasing support to a range of mining operations.”

Added Gil Lawson, Goldcorp’s mine manager: “The professionalism and work ethic of Windigo Catering staff have contributed significantly to the success of Musselwhite Mine. I’m proud of our longstanding association … and hope to see our relationship continue well into the future.”

As of March, Windigo Catering employed 66 people – almost half of them from the Windigo ownership First Nations, with a handful living on reserve and others in Thunder Bay and other urban centres throughout the region. Close to a third of its workforce come from other First Nations in the Sioux Lookout District, while a few

originate from First Nations outside the district. All told, more than 80 per cent of the company’s employees are Aboriginal.

To assist Windigo Catering with recruitment of First Nation employees, Goldcorp provides scheduled flights between the mine and Cat Lake, Weagamow Lake, Wunnumin Lake, Kingfisher Lake, Pickle Lake, and Sioux Lookout.

At Musselwhite, Windigo Catering employees can be in entry-level positions such as dishwashers or kitchen helpers; jobs that require experience or post-secondary education – cooks and housekeeping Debbie Korobanik, general manager of Windigo Ventures, with the Skooum Jim Award.

Legend of Windigo At certain times in First Nations history, the people comforts of food and shelter were threatened by the presence of a creature called “Windigo.” These powerful creatures were once human but after transforming became a threat to others.

The fierceness and power of the Windigo presented danger to those dwelling nearby. The people were aware of the potential danger and of how smart the Windigo was. These creatures were the victors in some situations.

This particular Windigo, however, was outsmarted; tricked into entering a lake and drowned. From then on this lake was referred to as Windigo Lake, serving as a reminder of what happened that day.

The Windigo name used by the First Nations council of communities in northwestern Ontario, and companies affecting their future, is not meant to signify fear but rather the strength of the First Nations and their determination to provide.

–windigocatering.ca

Steps for Success The Skookum Jim Award validates the overall approach Windigo member First Nations have taken in launching and growing thriving businesses. Windigo’s leadership offers the following advice for First Nations organizations pursuing similar ventures:

photo: Bryan Phelan

☛☛

Run business ventures under separate ‘for-profit’ channels. Don’t confuse the profit and not-for-profit areas of your economic development.

☛☛

Clearly define the roles and responsibilities for all business staff and management, right up to outlining the role your directors will play.

☛☛

Do the work necessary to first develop – and then agree on – a longterm vision for the business.

☛☛

Hire a manager who understands and shares your vision, and who can inspire the staff they are responsible for.

☛☛

Draft a financial plan for the business. Review and revise it regularly.

☛☛

Make sure you understand – and then are willing to fully comply with – all applicable laws, acts and regulations related to your business.

☛☛

Reward your employees not only through competitive remuneration, but also through intelligent incentives.

☛☛

Partner with industry to generate meaningful and lasting economic benefits for First Nation communities.

supervisors, for example; or chef and assistant camp manager roles that require professional certification.

They work 12-hour shifts, in rotation of either seven days of work with a seven-day break off-site, or 14 days on and 14 off.

“The entry level positions really allow people to move in here and kind of grow,” camp manager Allan Bedard explained in the video at the PDAC Awards. “Even our head chef here was at one point a dishwasher who went through the ranks, got his credentials and is now kind of running the show, so to speak.”

W

indigo Catering is expanding beyond Musselwhite, and McKay is hopeful the recognition from PDAC will help that growth.

“We believe winning this award will help us secure new business partnerships with other mineral exploration ventures in Ontario – expansion that can be served through our new Thunder Bay office,” McKay says.

The opening of that office, staffed by six full-time employees and casual workers as needed, is part of a five-year expansion plan.

Windigo Catering has already secured a three-year janitorial contract for the Thunder Bay Police station. “We were quite surprised … because it was our first tender we had tried,” notes Debbie Korobanik, general manager of Windigo Ventures. “So we were very excited.”

That contract started last summer, when the company also had a janitorial subcontract at Lakehead University for work that became necessary when flood victims were housed there. A bid for more work at Lakehead has been submitted.

Not long after receiving the Skookum Jim Award, Windigo Catering learned it had won a three-year contract with the Ministry of Natural Resources for cooking services at as many as 12 forest firefighting camps in the northwest region each summer, which will result in more hiring.

Korobanik even finds something positive in a failed bid to provide catering and janitorial services to a Detour Gold mine north of Cochrane. Preparing the bid, she says, “has given us good experience.”

Korobanik says the overall success of Windigo Catering has allowed it to financially support some of the activities of two sister companies – Windigo Distributors and Windigo Property. Windigo Distributors, which sells cleaning products, opened a small store in Sioux Lookout earlier this year. Also in Sioux Lookout, Windigo Property owns the Windigo office on Alcona Drive, along with three other properties.

The partnership with Goldcorp has been the catalyst for all of this business growth, McKay says.

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BEST PRACTICES

Environmental Monitoring

Community-driven training across the Northwest Territories

As northern Ontario gets set for a potential mining boom, monitoring the state of the environment and any changes to the water, land and animals becomes critical. As an example in the Northwest Territories shows, environmental monitoring is often most successful when affected communities take the lead.

Shawn Bell Onotassiniik

E

nvironmental monitoring has become a hot topic across the Northwest Territories (NWT), as communities struggle to come to terms with industrial development in a pristine northern wilderness that has never before dealt with development on such a large scale.

In response to the need for community-based environmental monitoring, a mobile training course run through the territory’s college is earning accolades as a way of preparing communities to deal with development in their own way.

For more than seven years John Blyth and Adam Bathe have taught the five-week environmental monitor course across the NWT. Between them, they have offered the training in over 20 communities, in classes that ranged from as small as two students to classes of 15.

“I would like to think we’ve left a trail of trained, competent environmental monitors across the territory,” Blyth said. “We’ve trained people in nearly every community who can now collect data and conduct sampling all over the NWT.” As First Nations and non-Aboriginal communities in northern Ontario prepare themselves for the rapidly growing mining sector in the region, the NWT’s experience with training environmental monitors may be an example to consider and learn from.

Bathe explained that before Aurora College started offering the environmental monitoring course in the territory, nearly all environmental monitoring was being done either by industry, or by southerners brought to the NWT by the communities or by government.

In some cases the communities impacted by development never found out the results of the monitoring that was done. In other cases, the communities did not trust the results they did see. The result was a pressing need for communities to become more involved in monitoring the water, land, fish and animals where they lived. But for that to happen, community members had to get educated on how to do the sampling and how to document the results.

“On any monitoring project you might work on, if the data isn’t managed properly, if there are not appropriate notes, the work goes to waste because you cannot back up your findings,” Blyth said.

Curriculum for the course Blyth and Bathe teach was developed by Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR), a program focused on training Aboriginal communities in the environmental sector.

It is a five-week training course that includes hands-on training on

using GPS monitors, radio transmission, proper note-taking and data management. It also incorporates sections on ecological research, bioscience, and basic work and communication skills, as well as how traditional Aboriginal knowledge can be incorporated in environmental monitoring.

But Bathe explained one of the critical components of the success of the course in the NWT is that each community can tailor the curriculum to its own needs.

During the course taught in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, for example, the instructors focused on training students to do compliance monitoring for mining or oil and gas companies wanting to work in the region. Both of those communities fall under the Inuvialuit Land Claim Agreement (ILA) – a comprehensive land claim that gives the Inuvialuit people control of more than 91,000 square kilometres of territory, among other things.

Included in the ILA is a requirement that any company wishing to do exploration or other development work in Inuvialuit territory must be approved by the Inuvialuit and must pay to have Inuvialuit environmental monitors on-site at all times. Therefore, in Inuvialuit territory, there was a great need for training of environmental monitors who knew how to do compliance monitoring to ensure companies working in the region complied with regulations.

During a different course in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, community leaders wanted their members trained so they could run communitybased water, land, fish and animal monitoring. The First Nations in Fort Chipewyan have long argued the lake they depend on is being polluted from upstream oilsands mines, and the leaders decided they could not trust environmental monitoring being done by industry and governments.

They tailored the course to those training needs, had 11 community members take the training, and are now in the process of setting up a comprehensive community-based monitoring system.

Blyth said the fact community members can see the need for the training, and envision where and how they will be working once completing the course, makes for an engaged class.

“People can see there is a valuable goal at the end,” Blyth said. “It is fulfilling, as you’re working for your community, getting paid employment in your community, and doing something you feel ethically good about.”

Graduates of the program have worked as monitors for their own First Nations, the territorial and federal governments, mining companies, environmental organizations and regulatory bodies.

And while there is no need to have finished Grade 12 to take the course, Bathe said many of the graduates end up going on to further education.

“Once people see they can succeed at environmental-based education, they often are interested in pursuing more education,” Bathe said.

photo: John Blyth

Students get a briefing on how to work safely around heavy equipment in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

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Q& A

Q&A

with David de Launay Assistant Deputy Minister, Ring of Fire – Community Relations Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Ring of Fire Secretariat

☛☛

As part of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, the Secretariat works with all levels of government, industry and Aboriginal peoples to encourage responsible and sustainable economic development in the Ring of Fire region of Ontario’s Far North.

☛☛

The Secretariat plays a co-ordinating role with respect to environmental assessments and Aboriginal engagement for proposed mining developments.

☛☛

John Beaucage, chief executive officer of Lake Huron Anishinabek Transmission Company, is one of four appointees to the Ring of Fire Advisory Council. Beaucage is a former grand chief of the Anishinabek Nation.

photo: Chris Kornacki

☛☛

Ring of Fire offices are located at 435 James Street South in Thunder Bay and 933 Ramsey Lake Road in Sudbury.

David de Launay is a member of the Ontario’s Ring of Fire Secretariat.

–Ontario MNDM website, April 2/13

As an assistant deputy minister, de Launay is responsible for “community and government relations.” He replaced Deborah Richardson of Pabineau First Nation on the Secretariat after she announced in January she was taking a two-year leave from the Ontario government. Richardson had filled the position in August when Harvey Yesno left it for his successful bid to become grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Prior to joining the Secretariat, de Launay’s assistant deputy minister duties for the Cabinet Office of Ontario involved reviewing oil and gas pipeline development. He has spent most of his career working within the Ontario government in Aboriginal Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Bryan Phelan, Onotassiniik editor, asked him in March about his important new role with the Ring of Fire Secretariat.

Q

In your current position as assistant deputy minister – Ring of Fire, what is your role in dealing with First Nations?

Approximately how much of your work time is now based in Thunder Bay?

A

I anticipate about half of my time will be spent in Thunder Bay and the communities affected by the Ring of Fire.

The focus of my work with First Nations and their organizations is to look at community readiness, regional infrastructure such as roads and transmission, and resource revenue sharing.

Other critical partners include the federal government, municipalities such as Thunder Bay and Greenstone, colleges and universities, and the private sector.

Q A

Your LinkedIn profile summary refers to an ability to “negotiate and facilitate solutions in bilateral or multilateral processes with governments, industry, stakeholders, and Aboriginal interests.” Please provide an example (and explanation) from your past experience that best illustrates this.

I was very involved with Cree First Nations on James Bay in the early 1990s addressing hydroelectric development, environmental concerns, economic development, and Treaty and Aboriginal rights.

Between 1993 and 2012 I worked at Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, spending part of that time as Assistant Deputy Minister for the Field Services, which was later renamed the Regional Operations Division. I was deeply involved in the Far North Initiative. I also worked with Grassy Narrows First Nation on forestry and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation on commercial fishing; in both cases, developing a framework agreement.

I have also worked with non-Native communities. In Elliott Lake I took part in the transformation of the town after the closure of the uranium mines and in Kapuskasing, the employee-Tembec takeover of the Spruce Falls mill. More recently in Thunder Bay I had a role in the creation of the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy.

So far, my most complex file was between 1999 and 2005 when I led Ontario’s negotiations with Quebec and the eight Great Lakes states in the development of agreements to protect the Great Lakes.

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Q&A

continued from page 21

Q A

Your profile also refers to you as being “value-centred.”

What core values do you bring to the job?

I fundamentally believe that we have to leave the world a better place than we found it, that we have to work with all sectors of society to achieve social, environmental and economic progress, and that on a personal level, we must strive to understand and respect each other, to build trust, and create relationships of mutual responsibility and accountability.

Q A

What interests you most about your current job?

Northerners, especially First Nations, have an unprecedented opportunity for environmentally-sound economic and social growth with the potential mining development in the Ring of Fire. We have companies with real project proposals. The federal and provincial governments are willing and ready to go. First Nations are supportive.

When you have all those parties potentially aligning, that creates a great opportunity that you don’t want to miss.

Q

What do you consider your most important contribution during your time as an assistant deputy minister for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs? Why?

A

My most important contribution during my time at Aboriginal Affairs was to bring my experience to the development of land and resource policy.

In particular, I was able to help develop the foundations for an approach to resource benefit sharing that will guide government discussions with First Nations.

photo: Chris Kornacki

Q

Leading the Far North initiative as an assistant deputy minister with the MNR involved “extensive outreach and negotiation with Nishnawbe Aski Nation and many community leaders.” Please describe some of your key outreach and negotiation activities.

A

From 2007 to 2010, I led negotiations with Nishnawbe Aski Nation. My counterparts for NAN were Doug Semple, then Frank Beardy. Tribal council leaders such as Frank McKay, Margaret Kenequanash and Gerry McKay were also very involved, along with grassroots people. I spent many meetings with political leaders like Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Grand Chief Stan Louttit, and chiefs from across the Far North. My team and I also visited northern communities such as Sandy Lake, Cat Lake, Slate Falls, Muskrat Dam, Wunnumin Lake, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.

Q

Q

A

A

The Far North Advisory Council that met in 2008-09 was a diverse group (environmental organizations, resource-based industry associations, and the electrical power sector). What was the biggest challenge of chairing such a diverse group and how did you approach that challenge to arrive at “consensus advice.”

The government’s approach in the Far North initiative was to have direct negotiations with NAN and its First Nations, but to also seek advice from stakeholders, which were organized, as you point out, into an advisory council. The biggest challenge was to get groups to go beyond their positions, seek out common interests and work positively to move forward. And when the going got tough, we would return to the commonly held views and principles that development should occur in an environmentally sustainable way that benefits Ontarians and, in the Far North, First Nations.

Like any relationship, trust had to develop, which takes time. Out of those relationships, individuals from both the development and protection sides of the discussion emerged to help craft a consensus approach.

How does/can the Far North Act benefit First Nations in the Ring of Fire and elsewhere in Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory?

The Far North Act is the first time in Ontario’s history that First Nations approve an activity, in this case land use planning. It gives a tool to communities to control their destiny.

They can plan in a large geography beyond their reserve for areas open to development and areas that will be protected for cultural, spiritual or environmental purposes as determined by the community jointly working with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Q

Northerners, especially First Nations, “ Q have an unprecedented opportunity for

A

environmentally-sound economic and social growth with the potential mining development in the Ring of Fire.

How many NAN communities have you been able to visit in your current role? During your career?

In my first six weeks with the Ring of Fire Secretariat, I have I have met with chiefs and others in Thunder Bay and Toronto and plan to visit communities over the next few weeks.

In my career, I have visited half of the 49 NAN communities; some, like Moose Cree and MoCreebec, many times.

22

”

What is the most important thing you’ve learned from Aboriginal leaders / people during your career?

A

The two most important things I have learned are: first, to listen, to try to really understand and to hear from everybody; and second, to always think of future generations.

Q

How do you balance your demanding work responsibilities with your interest in music? (de Launay worked for more than decade as a professional musician, on keyboards. He currently plays in three bands: the classic rock Painted Dogs; Big Trouble, a blues-rock outfit; and G Street Trio, which plays jazz.)

A

Music, like work, is a passion. But it is clearly a hobby, and – excuse the bad pun – plays second fiddle to my responsibilities in the Ring of Fire Secretariat. It does allow me to express myself in a different way. The Ontario Public Service is very supportive of staff developing their multifaceted talents.

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continued from page 15

“

When a company comes in and drops a 600-page environmental assessment document on the band council desk, they’ll have individuals who they respect and trust who can evaluate that material.

”

CESME can have a hand in educating the other way, too, to give First Nations a better understanding of how the mining sector operates, Hollings says.

“If we can train more First Nations professionals, whether they’re engineers or geologists or whatever they might be, then the First Nations are going to have a better understanding of the process,” he adds.

“And when a company comes in and drops a 600-page environmental assessment document on the band council desk, they’ll have individuals who they respect and trust who can evaluate that material, rather than having to farm it out to others.”

Hollings: ‘CESME will work with our partners to help develop a new model for community engagement.’

C

ESME’s research will examine all aspects of mineral development, from environmental assessment to mine operations to mine closure.

continued from page 19

W

indigo representatives, including Korobanik and Bedard, sat next to the Goldcorp table at the PDAC Awards.

They watched the video as Bedard described the “gourmet comfort food” served by Windigo Catering to the miners at Musselwhite, from lamb to sushi – “a little bit of everything that’s not your standard kind of camp food.”

Those eating the food agree. One Goldcorp employee offered this testimonial, featured on the Windigo Catering website: “When you think of ‘mine site,’ you picture

a cafeteria with food just slapped on plates. Not here. Our kitchen staff is always friendly and helpful, and everything is set out with the greatest care and attention.”

It’s the level of service Windigo Catering strives for, “so at the end of the day, when you’re tired, it’s nice to know you can look forward to a wonderful meal,” Korobanik says. “And then you can go to your room, which is immaculately clean. All the services are there, and it’s a little more like a home away from home.”

Raising funds to make all this research possible is an immediate priority.

CESME will rely mainly on current LU faculty from a range of departments for staffing support. There are also hopes for a federally funded Canada Research chair who would focus research on gold, nickel, copper and platinum, and an endowed chair who would concentrate on research as well, funded by interest from a large donation.

The Centre will use existing research and office space.

Hollings sees a valuable role for CESME as a neutral broker between communities, mining companies and government, and their varied stakes in mining development.

“I think we are uniquely positioned … we don’t have an agenda,” he says in making CESME’s case for that broker role. “We will address the concerns of all parties as equally and fairly as we can. As academics and researchers that’s what we do; we come into things looking for the science behind it or the unbiased approach to trying to resolve questions, letting the research take us where it will.”

The starting point for this, he says, will be encouraging open dialogue.

“Come talk to us,” he says.

If you are looking for a place to hide…

This is not a good spot.

Advertise here and get

noticed.

Call or email Tom Scura today for details

1-888-575-2349

toms@wawatay.on.ca

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Ontario Geological Survey

The story hidden in grandfather rocks

Andy Fyon, Director, Ontario Geological Survey Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

D

o you collect rocks? Isn’t it interesting how they’re all so different? Some rocks are round, others have sharp and pointy edges, some are colourful, and others are dull.

When I was a child, I collected rocks. I wondered about the stories they had to tell. Where did they come from? How did they arrive where I was standing? Why were there so many different types of rock in that small area?

That curiosity about rocks always remained with me, so, naturally, I became a geologist – a person who seeks knowledge about the earth: “ahki nanatookiikaenge gay wininii.”

I am now the leader of the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines’ Ontario Geological Survey (OGS). We seek to A simple geology map of Ontario that understand the story hidden in the shows some of the rock geology.

Ontario rocks, soils and landforms.

What is the Ontario Geological Survey?

The geologists who work at the OGS describe Ontario’s geology. We study the rocks, the soils that cover the rocks, and the landforms made from these rocks and soils. We study the Earth resources that occur in this geological house: energy, groundwater and minerals. The OGS publishes this information as reports and maps so that all people may use that information to:  understand the health of the environment;  identify geological hazards that threaten the health and safety of people;  describe geological habitats where special plants, insects and animals live;  identify materials that are useful for construction;  identify concentrations of minerals, energy or groundwater that can help sustain an economy, and;  understand how the Earth may respond to climate change.

When we join this knowledge of geology with Aboriginal traditional knowledge, we have a more complete understanding of the land beneath our feet.

What is geology?

Geology is the study of the Earth, the materials that make up the Earth, the natural processes that make those materials, and the geological forces that shape the Earth into what we see today.

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The Earth does not stand still. Geologists study how the Earth’s materials, structures, processes and shape change over time, and how those changes affect the animals, plants and people that live here.

Communities can use geology to address their interests, such as a local economy or the safety of their people. By understanding the geology of a region, including the materials that make up the soils or the black muck on the bottom of a lake, geologists can comment on the health of the environment or the likelihood that concentrations of energy or minerals may occur.

This information can help maintain or improve the quality of life for communities.

Mapping the rock geology The foundation of the Earth is rock. OGS geologists look at, and ask questions of, the exposed rock: How old are you? How were you formed? What history have you been through?

We then use that information to create a “bedrock geology map” that shows where different types of rock occur.

Because almost all rock in Ontario is covered by muskeg or sands and gravels left behind by the glaciers, the OGS uses technology to “see” through the coverings to gather information about the rock below. One type of technology

Did You Know?

The geological history of Ontario is very complex. Powerful geological forces formed and shaped the face of Ontario over nearly three quarters of Earth history. The Earth is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old.

This image shows the simplified geology of Ontario.

PINK & GREEN (Archean) The pink colour represents granite formed by melting of material within the Earth. The green represents rocks formed from ancient volcanoes. The pink and green rocks formed 2.5 to 3 billion years ago and together form the old Shield rocks of the Superior Province. Most of the metallic minerals that occur in Ontario are contained in these old Shield rocks.

YELLOW (Proterozoic) The yellow colour represents sedimentary rocks that accumulated by erosion of the Shield rocks, other existing rocks and types of rock that formed by melting within the Earth.

The yellow rocks are grouped together into a geological feature called the Southern Province.

Geologists estimate that the Southern Province rocks were formed 2.4 to 1.1 billion years ago. Less than 10,000 years ago, Aboriginal peoples mined copper and chert from the Southern Province rocks along the shores of the Great Lakes, including Manitoulin Island.

BROWN (Proterozoic) The brown colour represents a complex variety of rocks that formed by melting of the Earth, by volcanoes and by erosion.

They were all shuffled on top or cut by melt rock about 1 billion years ago by the collision of two great land masses called continents.

BLUE-GREY (Phanerozoic) The blue-grey coloured rocks consist of limestone, dolomite and shale, and together form rocks that geologists call Paleozoic and Mesozoic – names that indicated to geologists that the rocks formed 0.5 to 0.1 billion years ago. Many of these Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks formed in a warm ocean, close to the equator. In southern Ontario these rocks are an important source of oil, natural gas and salt, are used for aggregate, and are an important cradle of groundwater.

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13-04-25 12:33 PM

ᐊᐣᑎ ᐸᔭᐣ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒧᓇᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐊᓯᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᓂᐁᐧᑕᒪᑫᐨ ᑕᐧᑦ ᐱᑎᓫᐃᕑ

ᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᒋᑕᔑ ᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᐊᐃᓇᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᐃᔑ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᐱᐢᑯᐨ:  ᒋᐅᒋ ᓂᓯᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᐃᔑᔭᒪᑲᐠ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ;  ᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᑯᓀᓇᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑫᐅᐣᒋ ᒪᒋᓭᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣᐠ;  ᒋᑎᐸᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐅᑦᐱᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᑲᓂᑕᐃᐧᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ, ᒪᓂᒍᔕᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᔑᔕᐠ;  ᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑫᑭᐊᐸᑕᑭᓂᐸᐣ ᐅᔑᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐨ ᑲᐊᐧᑲᐃᑫᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ;  ᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᐁᔓᓂᔭᐃᐧᑫᐧᐣ ᐊᓯᐣ, ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᑫᑯᐣ ᓇᐣᑕ ᐊᓇᒥᐠ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑲᐊᔭᐠ ᓂᐱ ᑲᐃᐧᒋᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑ ᑕᓇᐱᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ;  ᒋᐅᒋ ᓂᓯᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑫᐃᔑ ᐅᑕᐱᓇᒪᑫᒪᑲᐠ ᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᑫᐊᓂ ᐃᔑᐁᐧᐸᐠ.

ᑭᒧᔕᑭᓇᐠ ᓇ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ? ᑭᒪᒪᑲᑌᓂᒪᐠ ᓇ ᐸᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ? ᓇᐣᑕ ᐁᐊᐧᐃᐧᔦᓯᐊᐧᐨ, ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᐁᒋᐸᐧᐱᑭᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐁᑭᒋᑲᐱᑭᓯᐊᐧᐨ, ᓇᐣᑕ ᐁᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᐊᐧᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᐁᐊᔑᓯᐊᐧᐨ. ᑲᐊᐱᓄᒋᔓᔭᐸᐣ, ᓂᑭᐱ ᒪᒧᔕᑭᓇᐠ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ. ᓂᑭ ᒪᒥᑐᓀᐣᑕᐣ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᑭᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᐊᐣᑎ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᑐᓭᐊᐧᑯᐸᓀᐣ? ᐊᐣᑎ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᑕᑯᔑᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑ ᓂᐸᐃᐧᔭᐣ? ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐸᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᑭᒋᒥᔑᐣ ᑲᐊᐃᔑᓇᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐊᑲᓯᔭᐠ? ᐅᐁᐧ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᒧᔕᐠ ᓂᑭ ᑭᑭᐡᑲᑯᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ, ᐅᐣᒋᑕ, ᓂᑭ ᐊᐦᑭ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐃᐧ – ᐊᐃᐧᔭ ᐊᐦᑭᓂ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑲᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᑕᐠ: “ᐊᐦᑭ ᓇᓇᑐᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᓂ.” ᐁᑲᐧ ᓂᐣ ᐊᔕ ᓂᓂᑲᓂᐡᑲᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒧᓇᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐊᓯᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ’ ᐊᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᐦᑭ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑫᐧᑌᐃᐧᓇᐣ (OGS). ᓂᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᓂᓯᑐᑕᒥᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᐃᓇᒋᒥᑯᓯᐊᐧᑫᐧᐣ ᐊᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ, ᐊᐦᑭᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐃᓇᑲᒪᑲᐠ.

ᐅᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᒪᒪᐃᐧᓇᒥᐣ ᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧ ᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᓂᑐᒋᓂᓯᑐᑕᒥᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᐃᓇᑲᒪᑲᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐊᓇᒥᐠ ᑭᓯᑎᓇᑦ.

ᑫᑯᓀᐣ ᐊᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᐦᑭ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑫᐧᑌᐃᐧᓇᐣ? ᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑲᐊᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ OGS ᐅᑎᐸᑐᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑲᐃᓇᑲᒪᑲᐠ. ᓂᓇᓇᑲᒋᐦᐊᒥᐣ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ, ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᑲᐧᓄᔑᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᔑᐡᑭᑲᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐊᐃᓇᑲᒪᑭᑐᐁᐧᒪᑲᐠ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐦᑭᐣ ᐅᐣᒋ. ᓂᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᒥᐣ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑲᐊᐸᑕᑭᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑕᐱᐢᑯᐨ ᐊᐧᑲᐃᑲᐣ: ᑲᐅᒋ ᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᑫᑯᐣ, ᐊᐦᑭ ᑲᐊᔭᐠ ᓂᐱ ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᓂᔭᐃᐧᐊᓯᓂᐠ. ᐅᐁᐧ OGS ᐅᒪᓯᓇᐦᐊᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᓂᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᐱᐢᑯᐨ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ

ᑫᑯᓀᐣ ᐊᐦᑭ ᑲᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑲᑌᐠ? ᐃᐁᐧ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐦᑭ ᒧᔕᐠ ᑲᓇᑲᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ, ᑫᑯᓀᓇᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᐅᔑᒋᑫᒪᑲᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ, ᑲᐊᓂ ᐃᓇᑲᒥᑲᑭᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐅᔑᒋᑫᒪᑲᑭᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐃᔑᐁᐧᐸᐠ ᑲᐊᓂ ᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ. ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐦᑭ ᒥᒋ ᓴᑲᒪᑕᑌᓯᐣ. ᐊᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐠ ᐅᓇᑲᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᐊᐸᒋᑕᑲᓇᐣ, ᑭᒋᐊᐧᑲᐃᑲᐣᑲᓇᐣ, ᐊᓄᑭᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐊᓂ ᐃᓇᑲᒥᑲᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᑲᐊᓂ ᐊᐃᓯᓭᑭᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ

continued from page 24 is called an airborne geophysical survey. An airplane containing special instruments flies close to the ground and records information about buried rocks. Without this information, it is impossible to create a geological map that shows the different rock types.

OGS also uses this same survey type to identify underground water and energy sources.

What does this mean to you?

Knowing where different rocks occur helps a community identify: the location of dangerous rocks; rocks that may affect the health of people; rocks that may carry metals,

energy or groundwater; rocks that create special habitats for plants; and rocks that can be used for construction.

So, let’s say you are carrying out community-based land-use planning. By taking the time to understand the rock beneath your feet and joining that knowledge with traditional knowledge, you have created the perfect recipe for producing a more complete land-use plan.

In the next edition of Onotassiniik, I’ll talk about the sands and gravels that cover the rock.

Miigwitch.

ᐊᐧᓇᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᔑᔕᐠ, ᑲᓂᑕᐃᐧᑭᑭᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ. ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᑕᑭ ᐊᐸᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐃᓇᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ, ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐨ ᑲᐱᒧᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐊᔭᑲᐧᒥᓯᑲᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᐣ. ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᐃᓇᑲᒪᑲᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐅᒋ ᐸᐱᑭᓯ ᑎᐯᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ, ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᔦ ᑲᒪᒪᐃᐧᓭᑭᐣ ᐊᐦᑭᓂ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐊᔭᐠ ᓇᐣᑕ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᒪᑲᑌᐊᐧᑲᒥᑲᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᓇᒥᐠ ᓴᑲᐃᑲᓂᐠ, ᐅᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐠ ᐅᑕᑭ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᐃᔑᔭᒪᑲᐠ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᓇᐣᑕ ᐊᓂᐣᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᑫᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᑫᐅᒋ ᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᑫᑯᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᐁᔓᓂᔭᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ. ᐅᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑕᑭ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᒪᑲᓄᐣ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᐊᔭᐠ ᐱᒪᑎᓱᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ. ᑲᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᓂᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐦᑭ ᐊᓯᓂᑲᐠ ᐅᐣᒋᐊᓱᓂᑫᒪᑲᐣ. OGS ᐅᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐠ ᐅᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᓇᐊᐧ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᔑ ᑲᑫᐧᑌᐊᐧᐠ, ᑲᓇᑯᓯᓂᐨ ᐊᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᓯᓂᐣ: ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᑕᓱᐱᐳᓀᔭᐣ? ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐅᔑᐦᐃᐧᑎᓱᔭᐣ? ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᐧᐢᑲᐨ ᑲᑭ ᐱᔭᔨᐣᑎᔭᐣ? ᐊᐦᐸᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᓂᑕᐸᒋᑐᒥᐣ ᑲᐅᔑᑐᔭᐠ “ᑲᐱᒪᐱᑭᔑᐠ ᐊᓯᐣ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ” ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᓇᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐣᑎ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐸᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ. ᐅᓴᑦ ᑫᑲᐟ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᓇᒥᐠ ᑲᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐡᑭᑯᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᓀᐊᐧᐣᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓯᓂᓴᐠ ᑲᑭ ᑭᒋᒥᑯᒥᑲᐠ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ, ᐊᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ OGS ᐅᑕᐸᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᑫᑯᓂ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᓴᐸᐧᑌᐊᐱᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᑲᐧᓂᔑᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑲᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᓂᒪᐊᐧᐨ. ᐯᔑᐠ ᑫᑯᐣ ᑲᔭᐸᑕᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐃᐡᐱᒥᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ. ᐃᐁᐧ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᐣ ᐯᓯᐣᐨ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᐃᓇᔑ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐅᑕᐱᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐁᑲ ᐅᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐊᔭᑭᓂᐸᐣ, ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᑭ ᐃᓭᓯᓄᐸᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᐡᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᓇᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐸᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᐱᐊᐧᐨ.

OGS ᑲᔦ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐅᑕᐸᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓇᒥᐱᐠ ᑲᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᐅᒋ ᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᓂᓂᐠ ᑫᑯᓂ.

Ontario Geological Survey

ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐊᑲᐃᐧᓯᐠ ᑭᒥᔓᒥᓇᐣ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ

ᐊᓂᐣ ᑭᐣ ᐁᐃᔑ ᓂᓯᑐᑕᒪᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ? ᑲᑭᑫᓂᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐊᐣᑎ ᐸᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᐃᔑ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐣ: ᐊᐣᑎ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐱᒪᐱᑭᓯᐠ ᑲᑯᑕᑌᐣᑕᑯᓯᐨ ᐊᓯᐣ; ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐠ ᑲᒪᒋᑐᑕᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ; ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑲᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐊᐧᐨ, ᑫᑯᐣ ᑲᐅᒋ ᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓇᒥᐠ ᑲᐊᔭᐠ ᓂᐱ; ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᓂᑕᐃᐧᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ; ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ ᑲᐊᐸᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐨ ᑲᐊᐧᑲᐃᑲᓂᑫᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ, ᑲᐃᑭᑐᒥᐣ ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐨ ᐁᔭᓄᑲᑕᒪᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐊᐦᑭ ᑲᐅᓇᔓᐊᐧᒋᑲᑌᐟ ᑫᐊᓂᓇᐸᑕᐠ. ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᑭᑫᓂᒪᐨ ᐊᐁᐧ ᐊᓯᓂᐣ ᐊᓇᒥᐠ ᑭᓯᑕᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᒪᒪᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᑐᔭᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑭᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ, ᐊᔕ ᐅᓇᑌ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᑭᐊᐸᒋᑐᔭᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐊᐦᑭ ᑲᐅᓇᔓᐊᐧᑕᒪᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐊᓂᓇᐸᑕᐠ. ᒥᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᓄᑕᓯᓂᐠ, ᓂᑲᑕᑕᔑᐣᑕᓇᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᓀᐊᐧᐣᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᓯᓂᓴᐠ ᑲᐊᑲᐧᓇᐦᐊᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓯᓂᐠ. ᒥᑫᐧᐨ.

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PROFILE

First Aboriginal woman grad from college program Bryan Phelan Onotassiniik

Surface Diamond Driller Asst.

Common Core Program

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The program was created in 2006 through a partnership between Cabo Drilling, the Canadian Diamond Driller Association, and Northern College’s Haileybury School of Mines. photo courtesy of Northern College

Angela Prevost

☛☛

A

ngela Prevost was looking for a career change.

So, after 13 years working for the Ministry of Environment in Sudbury, Prevost chose to prepare for a mining career in hopes it will lead to work outdoors and opportunities for travel.

Prevost is now certified as a diamond driller helper. She graduated in March from what’s officially known as the “surface diamond driller assistant common core program” at Northern College. Her coursework took place over 10 weeks at the college’s Kirkland Lake campus.

Northern College introduced the program in 2006 but of its more than 160 graduates to date, Prevost, of Ojibway and French ancestry, is the first Aboriginal woman.

“The program was heavy in terms of in-class training – lots to learn in a short time,” she says. It focused on current technologies, environmental concerns, and health and safety procedures.

Near the end of their training, students also set out for a work placement. Companies first interviewed and selected them, then placed them on operating drills to train as helpers with a driller-helper team.

Prevost’s one-week placement, at a bush site near Kirkland Lake with a company called Major Drilling Services, presented her biggest challenge: “walking through five feet of snow when we arrived at the drill shack on the first day to go and set the water lines that were 800 feet away. I thought that was it for me; ‘I will never make it.’ ” She did make it, however, and handled other physical work that followed as well.

Job tasks included adding 10-foot rods to the drill, allowing it to bore farther into the ground; emptying the core barrel and setting cores in boxes for the geologist; and overall “good housekeeping,” such as putting tools back to the appropriate places.

“I fit in quite well,” Prevost says of her time on the job. The driller and

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In 2008, Northern College joined forces with Atlas Copco, purchasing one of their drills with help from FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

92 percent of program graduates are hired within one month of attaining their diploma, in many instances by their placement employer.

regular helper were very welcoming, she –Northern College says, and because they were French speakers from Quebec, her ability to speak French helped in becoming part of their team.

Prevost also speaks highly of her seven classmates and her instructors at the college.

Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, to learn that upon graduation she received the Len Webster Memorial Award “for the student who best exemplifies good people skills and is respectful of other cultures.” The Webster family has presented the award since 2009 in memory of Len Webster, who was one of the program’s instructors. “Len always adapted his teaching methods according to the individual needs, recognizing communication difficulties and cultural differences,” Northern College noted in a media release.

“I was honoured to win this award; wasn’t expecting it all,” Prevost says.

She mentions that one of her college instructors is veteran of the mining industry who has been to 40 countries, while another recently came back from Africa after doing consulting work there. “It sill amazes me how big this industry really is.”

Prevost, who lives south of Sudbury in French River, would like to stay in Ontario for now, although the companies she has applied to for driller assistant work within the province are international. She does express an interest in someday working in Nunavut, where schedules of 28 days on the job and two weeks off would allow time for being a tourist as well.

Northern College, in partnership with the hamlet of Arviat, also offers the same driller assistant program in Nunavut.

At Kirkland Lake, the college will welcome a new driller assistant class on Oct. 1, and plans two additional intakes for 2013.

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