| SERPENT RIVER FIRST NATION OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE CONSULTATIONS WITH PELE MOUNTAIN RESOURCES INC. |
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A signatory to the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850, the Serpent River First Nation is located midway between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury in the North Channel of Lake Huron.
The First Nation’s traditional territory extends from this waters of the North Channel of Lake Huron, Serpent River Basin; north beyond the city of Elliot Lake, encompassing the area of the Elliot Lake Uranium Mine Project currently being explored by Pele Mountain Resources Inc. ("Pele" ). In response to Pele’s announcement that field work for the first phase of its baseline environmental studies at the Elliot Lake Uranium Mine Project has been completed, Chief Isadore Day stated “We are encouraged that Pele has acknowledged the vital role of Serpent River First Nation in the exploration and development of natural resources within our traditional territory. While there is a great deal of work to be done, we look forward to beginning work with Pele on the development of a consultation framework and a process that is consistent with our Constitutionally-protected Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. Consultation with our Community is paramount; and as stated to Pele in the past, Serpent River First Nation maintains the right to oppose this project at any stage” Following recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions, the First Nation notes that the Provincial and Federal Crowns have a duty to consult the First Nation on development within their traditional territory and therefore, any future consultation process must also include the Crown. Chief Day stated “It must be clear that consultation has not yet begun because we have not had Ontario or Canada clearly collaborate on a set of consultation parameters. Consequently, a community meeting was established with the Onatrio Ministry of Northern Development and Mines on October 19th 2007, but was cancelled by the province.” Day went on to say, “Ontario cannot continue to side-step their duty to uphold this Supreme Court of Canada directive. Further, under Federal Legislation controlling radioactive substances, uranium mining has a complex web of regulatory application; Canada also has to be at the table. It is important for everyone to understand that the development of a uranium mine is not a simple undertaking and requires a lot of formal discussion that has not yet been established with Serpent River First Nation.” The Serpent River First Nation is optimistic that Pele’s recent efforts at transparency and in publicly acknowledging Serpent River First Nation interests; have created a solid basis for future dealings, including Pele’s willingness to collaborate on the beginnings of the consultation process. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini Serpent River First Nation – (705) 844 2418 |
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