Backgrounder
Collaborative Process Protocol Agreement
This agreement guides how Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation will work collaboratively to address the request for apology and compensation with respect to the historical operation of the Giant Mine site.
It outlines the approach to working together to share information and develop a shared understanding that the parties need before they can begin to negotiate a resolution. It also establishes timelines to work through different stages of the process.
The goal of the negotiations is for a resolution of the claim, and will include consultation with Yellowknives Dene First Nation members to get input on what the apology and compensation should look like.
Memorandum of Cooperation
This memorandum describes how Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, along with other federal partners, will work together to address the environmental, economic and social priorities stemming from the legacy impacts of mining.
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation is seeking to advance a number of key socio-economic projects in the area of: governance support and resources; housing; mental health and addiction treatment; education, training, and skills development; and infrastructure.
The Memorandum of Cooperation, along with the Collaborative Process Protocol Agreement, reflects Canada's commitment to moving forward with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to address the legacy of mining on their traditional territory.
Community Benefits Agreement
The Giant Mine Remediation Project, co-managed by the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories, worked with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to develop a Community Benefits Agreement.
The Community Benefits Agreement outlines how the project team and the Yellowknives Dene are working together to help the First Nation achieve socio-economic benefits from the remediation project. The goal of the Agreement is to provide more certainty to the First Nation with respect to long-term project commitments.
The agreement includes funding up to $20 million over 10 years during the Active Remediation and Adaptive Management phase of the Giant Mine Remediation Project to support capacity building for the First Nation to participate in the Giant Mine Remediation Project, and enable greater participation in economic development opportunities throughout the North.
The funding includes support for an economic division, scholarship and training, community-based monitoring of the site, a community economic development officer role, a community liaison and technical officer role, and a Healing the Land ceremony.
