Latest news with #YellowknivesDeneFirstNation
CBC
26-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Indigenous groups weigh in on closure plans for N.W.T.'s Diavik mine, urge more use of traditional knowledge
Some Indigenous groups in the N.W.T. are weighing in on Diavik Diamond Mine's closure plans, and saying Indigenous traditional knowledge should play a bigger role in those plans. The closure represents "the most important time in the mine's life," according to the Łutsel K'e Dene First Nation (LKDFN), in a written submission to the Wek'èezhìi Land and Water Board ahead of Diavik's water licence renewal. The First Nation says the mine's closure will determine how healthy the land and water will be after the operation is gone. Diavik is set to close early 2026, and its water licence, which authorizes water use and waste discharge, expires at the end of this year. A public hearing on the water licence renewal application will be held in Behchoko from June 10 to 12. In its letter to the land and water board, LKDFN urges that a condition to be added requiring Diavik to seek approval from a panel of traditional knowledge holders for all site closure objectives. The First Nation says that should be in addition to the scientific monitoring that Diavik has recommended. "Science alone will not instill confidence in the community that water is safe to drink, fish are safe to eat, that dust levels, revegetation, and landscape features are acceptable," LKDFN's submission reads. The First Nation says that only when scientists and traditional knowledge holders agree on these issues will the mine closure be deemed successful. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) raised similar concerns in its letter to the land and water board. Matthew Spence, CEO of the First Nation, wrote in the letter that as things stand now, YKDFN is "deeply concerned that the outcomes of closure will see continued impacts on the environment, harming the return of our people." "For the YKDFN, safe is more than absence of harm. Safe means that our members and their families can go to Ek'a Ti and know that not only will it [not] harm them, but that they can live and prosper," Spence said. YKDFN's letter also points to conflicting perspectives when it comes to water quality around the site, saying Diavik's science-based approach to sampling suggests the water quality is acceptable while traditional knowledge studies suggest otherwise. The First Nation says its most recent results from a monitoring camp in 2024 found only two of fifteen fish caught at the camp were deemed healthy enough for further sampling and consumption. "At this point, YKDFN are concerned that the system places the overwhelming reliance on the sampling programs based on Western science, with a failure to provide for meaningful incorporation of the concerns founded in TK [traditional knowledge] observations," the letter reads. Other closed mines left 'negative perspectives around mining' Another Indigenous government is more optimistic about Diavik's closure plans. The Tłı̨chǫ government says it hopes the Diavik closure leaves a positive legacy, and doesn't repeat the environmental damage seen at older sites in the territory like Giant Mine, or the Rayrock uranium mine. Brett Wheler, a senior advisor with Tłı̨chǫ Government's department of culture and lands protection, says they want to see more water testing done before Diavik closes. Wheler said other mines that left without a proper clean-up had long-standing impacts. "That's caused harm to the environment and to people and it's given sort of a negative relationship or negative perspectives around mining," Wheler said. He said the big areas of the Diavik site have already been cleaned up even before the mining is finished, which is a good sign. "From a technical perspective and from the elders' traditional and cultural perspective, when we go on site, we see that that clean-up work that's already been completed as really positive," Wheler said. Wheler described how Diavik is planning to make sure the water stays clean by putting a thick layer of clean rock on top of all waste rock piles. That means when there is rainfall or snow, the water will not come into contact with the waste rock before running off into natural streams and down to nearby Lac de Gras. "That's the first kind of big, big step to try to keep the water clean. So most of that has been done already," Wheler said. Still, the Tłı̨chǫ government is recommending careful water testing to ensure it's safe and healthy for Tłıcho citizens using the water and land around that area. "We want to make sure that if there are any small effects that are going to be longer-term after the mine is closed, that those are really as small as possible and that they don't have any safety or health risks," Wheler said. The Diavik mine is expected to be the first of the N.W.T.'s three diamond mines to close in the coming years, with Ekati expected to operate until 2029 and Gahcho Kué expected to operate until about 2030.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
N.W.T. government investigating the waste of 48 caribou
Wildlife officers say meat wastage along the ice road to the diamond mines has risen sharply this winter with nine cases affecting 48 caribou compared to last winter, where a total of 15 caribou were found wasted. Shannon Graf, a spokesperson for the territory's Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC), described it as a "significant" increase in wasted meat — and said an investigation is taking place. Community monitors and guardianship programs run by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the Tłı̨cho government and the North Slave Métis Alliance support the territory's renewable resource officers along the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road to respond to illegal or disrespectful harvesting, said Graf. Ernest Betsina, the chief of Dettah for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, said he was disappointed to hear of the spike in meat wastage, and that the First Nation would be upping its patrols of the area even earlier next winter road season. Guardians are the "eyes and ears out on the land," said Betsina, but they cannot be everywhere. He said guardianship programs and elders teach hunters to leave only the guts behind. "I'm disappointed that there is so much wastage of meat. I don't know what happened out there, but I'm hoping that the [government of the Northwest Territories] will do a good investigation to actually find out exactly who the hunters are that actually wasted the meat," said Betsina. Yellowknives Dene First Nation Dettah Chief Ernest Betsina said the treatment of caribou this winter season shows disrespect for the animals, and he hopes all hunters will harvest responsibly and take only what they need. (Ernest Betsina/Facebook) Betsina said hunters from all around N.W.T. should make a plan for how many caribou each family will take, and to limit the number of caribou taken per household to two or three animals. He said it's a rule most Yellowknives Dene First Nation hunters follow, even if it is not a formally imposed limit. "Caribou is sacred. The caribou numbers are not that great and we need to respect that," he said. He said taking only prime cuts of meat and wasting the rest of the animal is "really disrespectful." "It shows somebody didn't do the planning or somebody who went trigger-happy and shot too much caribou. It's such a shame to see that," said Betsina. Wastage is 'lazy' and 'unethical', says hunter Devon Allooloo, a hunter from the Yellowknife area, posted a photo on the Facebook group, Inuit Hunting Stories of the Day, of caribou he'd seen wasted along the winter road in the N.W.T. recently. In an interview, he said he's seen animals with only the hind quarters or the backstap removed, and even animals that have been shot and wasted in their entirety. "It's a little sickening to see, and it's tiring to see. I grew up on the barrenlands," he said. "I don't want to call other people out ... but I think it's lazy and it's unethical for people to be wasting that amount of meat." Hunter Devon Allooloo posted images of caribou wastage on Facebook, after seeing wastage at Mackay, Munn, and Margaret lakes along the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road. (John Last/CBC) Allooloo said people should be taking the hind and front quarters, backstraps, tenderloin and ribs. Even then, people in town would gladly take the head, tongue, heart, liver and kidney meat, he said. "I think a hunter should take everything. I think the only thing that should be left behind is the stomach, the organs." Allooloo said he worries people are shooting more animals than they need in the N.W.T. "Only harvest what you need and what your family needs," he said. Graf said ECC plans to continue aerial and ground patrols along the winter road and to work with guardians until the season ends. She said the N.W.T. government investigates all reported cases of meat wastage and asks the public to report suspected meat wastage. She said the department recorded 10 caribou wasted in the winter of 2021/22, none in 2022/23 and 15 in 2023/24. "While we cannot comment on the details of ongoing investigations, we continue to urge people to take only what you need, don't leave anything behind, share what you have when you get back to your community and listen and learn from elders," she said.
CBC
18-03-2025
- General
- CBC
N.W.T. government investigating the waste of 48 caribou
Wildlife officers say meat wastage along the ice road to the diamond mines has risen sharply this winter with nine cases affecting 48 caribou compared to last winter, where a total of 15 caribou were found wasted. Shannon Graf, a spokesperson for the territory's Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC), described it as a "significant" increase in wasted meat — and said an investigation is taking place. Community monitors and guardianship programs run by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the Tłı̨cho government and the North Slave Métis Alliance support the territory's renewable resource officers along the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road to respond to illegal or disrespectful harvesting, said Graf. Ernest Betsina, the chief of Dettah for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, said he was disappointed to hear of the spike in meat wastage, and that the First Nation would be upping its patrols of the area even earlier next winter road season. Guardians are the "eyes and ears out on the land," said Betsina, but they cannot be everywhere. He said guardianship programs and elders teach hunters to leave only the guts behind. "I'm disappointed that there is so much wastage of meat. I don't know what happened out there, but I'm hoping that the [government of the Northwest Territories] will do a good investigation to actually find out exactly who the hunters are that actually wasted the meat," said Betsina. Betsina said hunters from all around N.W.T. should make a plan for how many caribou each family will take, and to limit the number of caribou taken per household to two or three animals. He said it's a rule most Yellowknives Dene First Nation hunters follow, even if it is not a formally imposed limit. "Caribou is sacred. The caribou numbers are not that great and we need to respect that," he said. He said taking only prime cuts of meat and wasting the rest of the animal is "really disrespectful." "It shows somebody didn't do the planning or somebody who went trigger-happy and shot too much caribou. It's such a shame to see that," said Betsina. Wastage is 'lazy' and 'unethical', says hunter Devon Allooloo, a hunter from the Yellowknife area, posted a photo on the Facebook group, Inuit Hunting Stories of the Day, of caribou he'd seen wasted along the winter road in the N.W.T. recently. In an interview, he said he's seen animals with only the hind quarters or the backstap removed, and even animals that have been shot and wasted in their entirety. "It's a little sickening to see, and it's tiring to see. I grew up on the barrenlands," he said. "I don't want to call other people out ... but I think it's lazy and it's unethical for people to be wasting that amount of meat." Allooloo said people should be taking the hind and front quarters, backstraps, tenderloin and ribs. Even then, people in town would gladly take the head, tongue, heart, liver and kidney meat, he said. "I think a hunter should take everything. I think the only thing that should be left behind is the stomach, the organs." Allooloo said he worries people are shooting more animals than they need in the N.W.T. "Only harvest what you need and what your family needs," he said. Graf said ECC plans to continue aerial and ground patrols along the winter road and to work with guardians until the season ends. She said the N.W.T. government investigates all reported cases of meat wastage and asks the public to report suspected meat wastage. She said the department recorded 10 caribou wasted in the winter of 2021/22, none in 2022/23 and 15 in 2023/24.
CBC
11-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Lawyer tapped to study Giant Mine legacy comes with no 'preconceived notions'
Social Sharing The lawyer and former British Columbia politician recently appointed to assess the historical impacts of the N.W.T.'s Giant Mine on Indigenous communities says he plans to travel to Yellowknife this month to meet with those affected firsthand. Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Gary Anandasangaree named Murray Rankin as the ministerial special representative in a news release last week, saying Rankin's "experience and knowledge will support future recommendations to address the harms that resulted from the Giant Mine operations." The mine operated near Yellowknife between 1948 and 2004. The site is one of the most contaminated in Canada. Since 2021, a $4-billion remediation project to clean up the site and contain 237,000 tonnes of highly toxic arsenic trioxide dust underground has been underway. In a statement this week, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, which has been pushing for a federal apology and compensation for years, said it welcomes Rankin's appointment and is hopeful for a resolution. "The mine contaminated our core harvesting area. We no longer trust it as a safe place to harvest," said Ndilǫ Chief Fred Sangris. "We will share our peoples' message with Mr. Rankin that the damage is still felt today and will be felt for generations." Murray Rankin joined guest host Shannon Scott on CBC's The Trailbreaker on Tuesday. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Why are you the right person for this job? Well, I hope I'm the right person. I have had a long relationship with Minister Anandasangaree. We've done some, I think, pretty important things in British Columbia together on treaty making, for example, and reconciliation efforts. And I have worked as a lawyer with First Nations and with governments and with industry for a long time. I think the minister thought I might be able to give him advice and help to resolve this longstanding issue. It's been going on for some 56 years of the mine's operation, and then 20 years since, and there's some significant issues that need to be addressed. What are your goals for this position? My goals are to do what the minister has asked me to do, namely to work with the communities affected. There are several First Nations, in particular the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, of course, but there's Métis people as well, Tłı̨chǫ, and others that have been involved. The objective is to provide him with some very practical recommendations to try to address this longstanding problem. It's been around, as you know, for so long and promises have been made over the years — not all of them appear to have been met. So the idea is to come up with recommendations as to what extent the government of Canada bears responsibility. What are the specific impacts on the Indigenous peoples that were affected by the mine over the years, and to try to both heal the land and heal the people who were affected by this mine. One of the agreements that hasn't come to fruition yet around this is an apology and compensation. In 2021, the federal government signed an agreement to look into issuing that apology. What's your understanding of why that hasn't happened yet? I'm trying to get to the bottom of that. You're absolutely right. There was talk as well in 2021 of a negotiating table, they called it. And that was something that a former minister, Carolyn Bennett, committed to. That doesn't appear to have got off the ground. The N.W.T. MP, Michael McLeod, had brought in a petition. It got, I think, like thousands of names, you know, 32,000 people signed it calling for that compensation and apology. So the government of Canada has been doing whatever they've been doing and there's of course lots of work going on on the physical remediation, the environmental impacts of the contaminated site, but the impacts on the First Nations that were affected — it's my job to try to find out what can be done about that. I want to read a statement from Yellowknives Dene Chief Ernest Betsina about your appointment. He says "for decades we have advocated for an apology and compensation for the harms that our people have suffered as a result of Canada's authorization and administration of Giant Mine. We are hoping for a resolution for our claim before more of our elders pass away." Chief Betsina obviously wants a timely resolution. What is your timeline? My timeline is, and I've been in correspondence with the Yellowknives Dene just yesterday, and I'm hoping to come up to Yellowknife in a week or so. I've got arrangements that are currently being made to meet him and his people and to discuss all of that. I have the benefit of not really having spoken in the past, so I can hit the ground running with, if you will, a clean slate. My job is to report not to the public service, but to the minister himself and that I think gives me the opportunity to hear from them firsthand without any preconceived notions of what has happened or should happen. On that note, given the longstanding calls for justice over Giant Mine, how do you plan to address any skepticism about this process? Well, I hope I can, through the various conversations I have with a wide range of people, get to the bottom of it. There's obviously different perspectives on what has been done and what should be done. So my job is simply to listen to all sides of the issue and to try to come up with my best advice, my independent advice to the minister. Ultimately it's the government of Canada that will have to decide what to do with my report. I will do that within the next few months. This has been, I think everyone agrees, taking far too long to get going and it's my job to show action as quickly as I can. That's why I've been immersed in trying to learn about this from reading. And now I have to get in, talk to the people who are directly affected, and that's what I intend to do, beginning a week or so from now. How long will you be in Yellowknife? The initial trip, I expect to be there for a few days and then I'm going to, of course, be coming back because as you can imagine, there have been mountains of research and reports over the years and I've got to get to the bottom of that. It's a significant learning curve for me.
