Strategies for Strengthening Company-Indigenous Community Partnerships: Examining Capacity-Related Challenges
Webinar
Overview
There are significant incentives and mutual benefits for industry and Indigenous communities to cooperate in support of the advancement of mineral exploration and mining projects. For companies, having good partnerships with local Indigenous communities leads to more certainty, stability, and an overall better project. For Indigenous communities, fruitful engagement with the mineral development sector can lead to direct jobs in mineral development and related sectors, as well as opportunities for Indigenous businesses and broader economic development. While the conditions are favourable to advance these opportunities, capacity-related challenges exist that must be overcome.
This webinar seeks to examine some of the strategies that companies and communities are using to overcome capacity-related barriers to participation in the mineral sector faced by Indigenous Peoples. It will also highlight some of the economic development opportunities and potential that exists when there are strong company-community partnerships. PDAC members will have the opportunity to hear industry experts share their knowledge and experiences in this area, and will then have the opportunity to ask questions.
This presentation will conclude with an overview of PDAC’s new tool that helps companies, communities, and individuals discover available sources of government-funded capacity-building support programs.
*This information is current to November 14, 2019. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
Presenter
DON BUBAR
Avalon Advanced Materials
During Don Bubar’s 40-year career as a geoscientist he has contributed to successful exploration in Canada, and been a leading advocate for geoscience education. Don has a B.Sc. in geology McGill University and a M.Sc. from Queen’s University. He has been President and CEO of Avalon Advanced Materials since 1995, working to develop three advanced stage projects across Canada with the potential to provide critical metals and minerals for new technology applications.
Don was chair and co-chair of PDAC’s Indigenous Affairs committee from its creation in 2004 until his retirement from the PDAC Board of Directors in 2013. Don also serves on the Advisory Board to the Faculty of Science at his alma mater McGill, and is a Director of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines. In 2016 Don joined the Board of Mining Matters, a charitable organization with the mission to support geoscience education in the Canadian school system and increase awareness about the relevance of minerals and metals in modern society. In his latest role, he will advocate for Indigenous youth camps where the next generation of northerners will have the opportunity to explore career opportunities within the industry.
Moderator
MICHAEL FOX
Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE)
Michael is the President of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – a national firm dedicated to building relationships, capacity, and projects by providing strategic services and practical solutions that help Indigenous clients succeed. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects, partnership, and financing for both industry proponents and Indigenous communities. In his earlier career, he assisted with northern Ontario First Nations with economic & enterprise development while working for an Aboriginal financial institution. He obtained an honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Aboriginal Law & Resource Development from Lakehead University and has a MBA from the University of Fredericton, specializing in Social Enterprise. He's originally from Weenusk First Nation and has twin sons who played in the OHL and a daughter who is studying Public Relations.