The Yukon Government has established government-to-government relationships with all 14 Yukon First Nations to ensure the ability to participate in Yukon resource development. This mutually constructive approach has ushered in a new era of economic partnerships and positive investment opportunities and created certainty of land tenure for those exploring for minerals. The Yukon Government encourages and helps facilitate partnership opportunities with First Nations, industry, and investors.
Yukon First Nations have demonstrated their willingness to work with responsible exploration and mining companies, and support projects in their communities. Many of these new partnerships are reflected in socio-economic or impact benefit agreements designed to foster more economic and social opportunities for First Nations, which in turn also benefit the mining company. Elements in these agreements may include, for example, specialized training, scholarships, contracting opportunities, environmental monitoring, and other measures which benefit the mining company, the First Nation, the local community, and Yukon as a whole. It is important to note that final resolution of land claims has not been a condition for establishing a successful working relationship between the local First Nation and a mining company. First Nation economic development corporations have already been eager to assist in the construction and supply of existing mining operations and promising exploration programs on a competitive basis. Recognition and protection of traditional lifestyles, employment and training opportunities and equity participation are some elements sometimes discussed by companies and First Nations.
Why exploration companies and First Nations should work together
The development of a strong working relationship between exploration companies and First Nations is important for many reasons. Understanding each other's concerns is essential to long-lasting partnerships.
- Most First Nations in Yukon are self-governing and hold surface and/or subsurface rights to their Settlement Lands.
- Government of Yukon encourages companies to communicate with local First Nations early in the planning and development stages of their project proposal.
- While the Government of Yukon is the Decision Body for most mineral projects in the Yukon, where activity is to take place on First Nation land, First Nations Governments can also be Decision Bodies under the YESAA regime.
- Traditional Knowledge is recognized as a valuable tool in managing Yukon lands and waters.
- Companies that build relationships with First Nations early and effectively usually benefit from the relationship.
- Aboriginal people make up a significant proportion of the work force in the northern part of Canada where most of the mineralized areas of the country are found.
