Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 16/05) - After more than three years of negotiations, an impact benefit agreement between the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and De Beers Canada was signed Monday afternoon in Ndilo.

The exact details of the agreement for the Snap Lake diamond project, which is already under construction, are confidential, said Ndilo Chief Fred Sangris, but includes specifics on employment, business opportunities, training and development and financial compensation for loss of the use of land while it is being mined.

"We tried to create opportunities and benefits for our membership because if we don't do anything for ourselves, nobody else is going to do it for us," he said. "So that is what we're doing."

This is the Yellowknives' third agreement with the diamond industry. The first was with BHP Billiton for its Ekati mine and then with Diavik.

"BHP was a learning experience," he said. "Everybody was learning - the First Nations, GNWT, other aboriginal groups - because diamonds weren't discovered here until 1991."

"We are more aware of the industry now and learned from Diavik, as well.

"It's like driving a car, the more you drive the better you get and you also learn what's wrong with it so you can fix the pieces. If you don't like what's in there, you can add to it to make it better.

"That's what we've done here - try to maximize the benefits for our membership."

A formal ceremony for community members and leadership will take place Jan. 1 in Dettah.

Snap Lake is expected to employ 500 people during full production beginning in 2008. This will be De Beers' first mine outside of Africa. It is scheduled to open in late 2007.

The North Slave Metis Alliance, Tlicho government and Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation are continuing negotiations with De Beers Canada in separate agreements.

De Beers Canada signed an agreement with the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario earlier this month for the company's Victor Project, which is set to begin construction next year.