01-08-2025
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation holds referendum on partnership with silica mining company
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation's possible partnership with a silica mining company is being brought to a vote. Uploaded Aug. 1, 2025. (File photo)
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is holding a referendum on a possible partnership with Sio Silica, an Alberta-based silica mining company looking to drill wells in southeastern Manitoba to extract silica sand.
Online voting opened Friday morning and will end next Friday. An in-person polling station will be open next Friday at the Private Tom Chief Memorial Hall in Brokenhead.
According to a notice sent to band members from Brokenhead's chief and councillors, the partnership would include a five per cent profit share, which is estimated to result in approximately $20 million per year once the project reaches full capacity.
Sio Silicia has committed to supporting community members through employment, training and education opportunities, according to the notice.
A 'yes' vote would mean Brokenhead leadership would continue its relationship with Sio Silicia and carry on with discussions, planning and partnerships to reach a final agreement. This would include establishing a joint environmental oversight committee.
A 'no' vote would mean Brokenhead leadership does not accept the current profit-sharing offer.
'However, should the Province of Manitoba approve the project, (Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation) will still be tasked with negotiating an Impact Benefit Agreement, though the terms—particularly regarding profit-sharing—may differ from the current offer,' reads the notice.
'Whichever direction the vote takes, (Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation) leadership remains committed to negotiating an agreement that seeks to benefit the community as a whole.'
Brokenhead has over 2,300 people living on and off-reserve, according to the federal government.
'Historically, we have not benefited from any resource project or land use in our area, only impacted,' said a statement from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Council.
'This must end and our community and our members must be part of the decision-making process.'
Sio Silicia previously proposed a silica sand mining operation near Vivian, Man., that would extract up to 1.36 million tonnes of silica sand per year by drilling more than 1,000 wells in the area.
The mineral has a variety of applications, such as in electronics, batteries and rubber.
In February 2024, the province rejected the sand mining operation proposal, saying environmental concerns outweighed the economic benefits.
'The technology that Sio is proposing to use is a new method of extraction. With this unproven approach, we cannot guarantee the safety of drinking water for future generations in this part of Manitoba,' said Premier Wab Kinew at the time.
Sio Silica later said it would try again to develop a silica sand mine, engaging with Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.
