TTHENAAGO/NAHANNI BUTTE - The Nahanni Butte Dene Band has secured an agreement on training, employment and business contracts related to the Prairie Creek Mine.

On Jan. 20 representatives of the band signed an impact benefit agreement with the Canadian Zinc Corporation during a ceremony witnessed by approximately 40 community members.

Band Councillor Jayne Konisenta, left, and Chief Fred Tesou were among the representatives to sign an impact benefit agreement with the Canadian Zinc Corporation on behalf of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band during a ceremony on Jan. 20. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photos

"I'm very happy," said Chief Fred Tesou.

"It's a benefit to the community and to the members."

Negotiations for the agreement began after the band signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian Zinc in October 2008.

The agreement gives band members priority for the 220 full-time positions expected to be created at the mine. A number of contracts have also been set aside specifically for Nahanni Butte.

Canadian Zinc has also agreed to make contributions to an education fund to assist band members seeking vocational or technical skills training or further education. Apprenticeship positions will also be made available.

A lot of work went into creating the agreement expected to provide jobs and education to residents, said Tesou. Tesou thanked the Nahanni Butte band council as well as the negotiating team for their dedication.

The work, however, is not over, he said. Continued efforts will be needed to implement the agreement so it benefits the people of Nahanni Butte, Tesou said.

The agreement is very significant, said John Kearney, Canadian Zinc's president.

It's important the mine has the support of the aboriginal community and residents are able to participate in and benefit from the project, he said. The benefits should also extend to the rest of the Deh Cho and the whole of the territory, said Kearney.

Canadian Zinc believes the Prairie Creek Mine can give a generation employment and help residents be better trained and educated for the future.

"We want to be good corporate citizens," Kearney added.

To Kearney's knowledge this is the first impact benefit agreement signed in the Deh Cho for a mining project. The company is also in negotiations with Liidlii Kue First Nations in Fort Simpson to reach an agreement.

Many people who attended the signing ceremony had positive things to say about the agreement.

"I think it's a good day," said elder Robert Vital.

If the mine opened for production it would benefit both the community and the whole of the Deh Cho, he said.

Vital said he believes the environmental concerns are being addressed through environmental studies and a planned traditional monitoring program.

"Today I'm happy because we're side to side," he said.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche also approved of the signing.

The agreement is an example of how a First Nation community and a business can work together for the benefit of the community and its children, he said. Menicoche said he regularly hears about the lack of economic and employment opportunities in the Deh Cho but Nahanni Butte is doing something to combat that.

"I believe the leadership and the community made a wise choice here today," he said.

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