Economy, environment covered in pact
Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services
Dettah (Oct 30/00) - More than a year of negotiations have forged a new partnership between the Yellowknifes Dene and Diavik.
"This agreement is good; it's satisfactory to us now," said N'Dilo chief Peter Liske during a signing ceremony last week.
The chiefs of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. have signed the dotted line on Thursday during a formal ceremony at the Dettah community hall.
About 80 people were on hand for as Liske and Dettah Chief Richard Edjericon and Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. president Stephen Prest signed the Kwe K'a Ndi Participation Agreement.
Although details of the agreement are private, money provided under the agreement with help chiefs and council achieve various goals.
That will include economic development, environmental monitoring, land safeguard guarantees and community programs and services.
Liske said a key element of the agreement is the establishment of an implementation committee to ensure the agreement is followed.
That means ensuring contractors follow hiring policies and the creation of business opportunities for Yellowknives members.
The agreement also involves annual payments which will go towards the community for the 1,100 Yellowknife Dene First Nation members.
Prest is "very comfortable" with the agreement, which he believes is an important step.
"Community involvement of the projects is, I think key to mineral development today in Canada."
The agreement is viewed as an improvement upon the one the Yellowknives signed with BHP, which operates the Ekati mine.
"It's a lot better agreement than what we have with BHP," said Edjericon.
Other agreements
Last week, Diavik also signed a letter of intent with Tli Cho Logistics, a joint venture between the Dogrib and Atco Frontec, to renew contracts for site services and fuel supply. Diavik also signed a letter of intent with Tli Cho Landtran to supply freight from Edmonton to the Diavik minesite. The contracts are worth $27 million.
