Stonecircle Wins Contract to Deliver Mining Workshops to 32 First Nation Communities

Greg Smith, Senior Consultant

From the desk of Greg Smith:

The Stonecircle team is getting ready for some road trips coming up this spring and summer. Stonecircle has been awarded a contract to deliver up to thirty-two workshops on Mineral Exploration and Development to northern Ontario First Nation communities. The contract is with the Government of Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Stonecircle will be facilitating sessions in communities over the next four months. Greg Smith is the project manager, with Jennifer David (co-manager and facilitator for three workshops), Kory Goulais (logistics coordinator), Alex Ker, Fred Weihs, and Ron Ryan as lead facilitators. Stonecircle will also be joined by some new team members: Martin Doyle (geologist and mining development specialist) and facilitators Sharon Swanson, Chris McKay, and C. Daniel Wemigwans.

Over the past decade Ontario First Nation communities have experienced tremendous pressure as a result of unprecedented levels of mining exploration and development on traditional territories. And it looks like this pressure is not easing up. Many First Nations do not have the knowledge of mining or capacity to meet this pressure.

These one-day workshops are aimed at providing First Nation communities with increased capacity and improved understanding and knowledge of mining. Content will include information on regional geology, the exploration phase of the mining cycle, how the business of mining works, the mining cycle more generally, and how the economic benefits of mining can be realized by First Nation communities and youth. They will also include information on changes to the Mining Act and regulations, and their implications for First Nations, including expectations for increased participation in consultation and regulatory processes.

Stonecircle team members have extensive experience in working with First Nation and Inuit communities on issues related to community economic development, planning, and training, including in the areas of resource development and the negotiation of Impact Benefit Agreements.