Continued failure to consult on uranium exploration a harmful mistake: Mi’kmaw Chiefs
Global News
The assembly has said they will continue to oppose both uranium exploration and hydraulic fracturing until their environmental concerns have been addressed.
Nova Scotia’s continued failure to consult with First Nations on uranium exploration is a mistake that will further erode the province’s relationship with Mi’kmaq communities, says the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and a lawyer from Sipekne’katik First Nation.
Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Tamara Young said the Mi’kmaq people were neither consulted nor notified when Nova Scotia introduced then passed a bill that opens the province up to potential uranium mining and fracking.
“The lack of consultation is unacceptable and goes against the UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples),” Young said in a statement to The Canadian Press on Wednesday.
The assembly has said they will continue to oppose both uranium exploration and hydraulic fracturing until their environmental concerns have been addressed.
The provincial government added uranium to its list of priority critical minerals May 14, and it issued a request for exploration proposals for three sites with known deposits of the heavy metal. Interested companies had until Wednesday to submit their proposals.
Premier Tim Houston has said the legislative changes are needed to help the province withstand economic challenges from American tariffs.
“We recognize there are international pressures and influences affecting our economy, but any resource development in Mi’kma’ki must include our consent and participation as we are the rightful owners of these lands, waters and resources,” Young said in the statement, speaking as co-lead of the environment, energy and mines portfolio on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.
Rosalie Francis, a Mi’kmaq lawyer whose firm is based out of Sipekne’katik First Nation, said the province risks further damaging their relationship with Mi’kmaq communities and sabotaging the potential uranium industry by failing to consult adequately and early.
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