Anishinabek attend PDAC 2016 in effort to achieve equitable resource revenue sharing
By Joey Krackle
Many citizens of the Anishinabek Nation attended the 2016 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) to talk jobs and business opportunities.
Anishinabek attendees went to the March 7 PDAC in order to promote the active participation of First Nations in the development of the mining industry.
Anishinabek Nation Council Grand Chief Madahbee stated that since 60% of undeveloped mines and minerals were located on First Nation lands, resource revenue sharing is a major solution for improving the economies and lifestyles of First Nation citizens.
“The long-term solution to this problem is the investment of First Nation participation in the provincial economy through partnerships such as resource revenue sharing and on-reserve employment programs.”
Academics agree that by sharing resource revenue, governments can meet their treaty, legal, constitutional, and moral obligations to Indigenous Peoples of Canada. (http://www.macdonaldlaurier.ca/files/pdf/MLIresourcerevenuesharingweb.pdf)
Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle, officially opened the convention. “Every year, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention provides us an opportunity to showcase mining exploration and development in Ontario to the rest of the world. Ontario has expertise in every aspect of mining and we are very pleased to help promote the innovation and the tremendous potential of Ontario’s dynamic mineral development cluster.”
In Northern Ontario where much of the Anishinabek Nation is located, the largest industry is very important to the Ontario economy with 42 operating mines.
The mining industry spent over $390 million on expenditures in 2015. Ontario leads in exploration with one-quarter of Canada’s total and is the largest producer of non fuel minerals.
Mineral production steadily grows with $10.8 billion in sales last year, almost double the 2003 level.
A former Chief of Nipissing First Nation, Phil Goulais, was at the convention stating the need for an equitable share to First Nations from resource extraction.
“While PDAC is a good step towards improved relations between First Nations, mining companies, government, and related industries, we have a long way to go towards obtaining an equitable share through resource revenue sharing and resource benefit sharing.”
Almost 24,000 people from 100 countries attended the 2016 PDAC with over 1000 exhibitors.