In the words of Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Ann Louie, the participation agreement signed between her band and Mount Polley Mining Corporation on Feb. 6 sets the stage for doing business with First Nations in the province of B.C.
“First Nations do not oppose economic development, but want to be included in all decision making from the beginning,” Louie said.
Looking around the Sugar Cane community gymnasium, where around 50 people from the community and various government ministries had gathered to witness the signing, Louie told the crowd it was a special day for the Williams Lake Indian Band and its members.
“We have finally reached an agreement with Mount Polley Mining Corporation, which recognizes we do have title and rights in the area in which the mine operates,” Louie said.
The agreement, she added, contains areas that will benefit the community in areas of education, economic development and environmental management. It also establishes a cooperative and mutually successful working relationship between both parties and allows both parties to meet their obligations, and to protect their rights and interests. She admitted the agreement took many years to achieve and wasn’t an easy process, but worth the effort.
Echoing the chief, Brian Kynoch, president and CEO of Imperial Metals Corporation, said things that take a lot of time are maybe a little bit better.
“We had to work hard to come to an arrangement and are actually very excited. I wanted to make this something we could look back on and say was a really good deal for both parties, where we both come out ahead in this and make our community a stronger place,” Kynoch said.
He also mentioned the recent passing of MPMC’s environmental engineer Ron Martel and credited Martel for working hard toward the agreement.
“His heart and soul was in determining how we could mine and have the least environmental impact to make sure we’re going to put things back, maybe not exactly the same, but as best as we can,” Kynoch said of Martel, adding the agreement was part of his legacy.
Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook congratulated the two parties for the historic occasion and said the significance of the day probably won’t be truly apparent until the future.
“I think Chief Louie, the Williams Lake Indian Band and Mount Polley are setting a positive example of how we can find that balance in moving forward in developing and being respectful of the environment,” Cook said.
Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson reiterated the day’s importance, saying the agreement provides an opportunity to build an economic future for both parties.
“This is one of the first participation agreements of this nature, but there are other revenue-sharing agreements around the province with other bands. This one took a long time to get through, and I congratulate the band and the company seeing it through to its completion. I’m looking forward to its implementation,” Thomson told the Tribune.
Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell described the day as exciting and congratulated the leaders for forging a new future for the children of WLIB and the entire region.
Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson said there will be lots of work to come, but the type of leadership shown by the agreement showcases to the rest of the province that there are other alternatives to direct protest or legal action or trying to negate First Nations rights and title to get a project up and running.
“I’m very hopeful that this is a demonstration of one of those alternatives,” Simpson said.
Dave Porter, CEO of the B.C. First Nations Energy and Mining Council, echoed Simpson, saying it’s easy to oppose and criticize, but also very difficult to reach agreements. He congratulated both parties.
“We want the kind of partners that are able to come to the table with respect and with an open mind,” Porter said, adding he hopes the agreement will give confidence to others to pursue the same thing.
Once the agreement was signed by Louie and Kynoch, both parties exchanged gifts. WLIB presented MPMC with two hand-woven baskets and MPMC presented the WLIB with a framed panoramic photograph of Mount Polley. The gift exchange was followed by the sharing of three traditional songs by members of the WLIB.
