The Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach and IOC sign the “Aganow” agreement

Rhea-AI Summary

The Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach and the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) have signed the 'Aganow' agreement, emphasizing collaboration and trust. This agreement focuses on enhancing Naskapi participation in IOC's operations through training, employment, and environmental project collaboration. It aims to promote Naskapi culture and provide long-term financial benefits. IOC expressed regret for past misunderstandings and highlighted previous cooperative projects, including fiber optic installation and a caribou farm study. The partnership seeks to facilitate reconciliation and improve the quality of life for the Naskapi people.

Positive

• The agreement enhances Naskapi people's participation in IOC’s activities through employment and training.
• Long-term financial benefits are anticipated for the Naskapi Nation.
• IOC has shown a commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous communities, signing agreements with five other Indigenous groups.

Negative

• None.

KAWAWACHIKAMACH, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach and the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) today signed an agreement to establish a mutually beneficial relationship based on dialogue, collaboration and trust between the company and the community over the coming decades. The agreement was named “Aganow”, which refers to “iron ore” in the Naskapi language.

This socio-economic agreement aims to create opportunities for greater participation by Naskapi people in IOC’s activities through training and development, employment, collaboration on environmental projects, and procurement. It will also protect and encourage the practice of traditional activities and provide long-term financial benefits to the Naskapi Nation.

Chief Theresa Chemaganish of the Naskapi Nation said: “Naskapi recent history is closely linked to that of IOC’s. Our grandparents left Fort Chimo (now Kuujjuaq) by boat and by foot, in the 1950’s, to settle in IOC’s new mining town of Schefferville and had to adapt to a completely different lifestyle. Times have changed tremendously since then and our Nation now has its modern treaty, is self-governing since the 1980’s and is focused on its future.

“The Aganow Agreement will help the Naskapi address many priorities, such as protecting and promoting its language and culture, providing adequate housing, creating meaningful and satisfying employment opportunities, protecting the environment and improving general quality of life. Our Elders have suffered prejudice and discrimination, most often quietly. The Aganow Agreement is not a conclusion, but rather a new chapter in the reconciliation process and will hopefully help those who suffered to heal and find meaning. ”

IOC President and Chief Executive Officer Mike McCann said: “Aganow reflects IOC’s solid commitment to developing mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous partners. Over the last ten years, we have made significant progress, signing agreements with all five Indigenous communities present in the regions where we operate. We appreciate the meaningful collaboration we have had with the Naskapi Nation and look forward to working together with them as we continue to integrate our goal of reconciliation in our daily actions.”

The agreement is the result of approximately two years of negotiations. It includes an expression of regret from IOC for its lack of understanding of the Nation’s historic reality, culture and livelihood in the past.

In recent years, IOC and the Naskapi Nation have had the opportunity to collaborate on a number of projects, including sharing expertise with Tshiuetin Rail Transportation, of which the Naskapi Nation is a shareholder, bringing fiber optic to the community and supporting a prefeasibility study for a caribou farm project.

Notes to editors

The community of Kawawachikamach is located near Schefferville, Quebec, where IOC carried out mining operations and exploration activities between 1954 and 1982. IOC’s operations straddled the Quebec-Labrador border. Approximately 975 Naskapi live in Kawawachikamach and the surrounding area today.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230131005930/en/

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Rio Tinto

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

simon.letendre@riotinto.com

Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach

Donna Marie Sandy

T +1 418 585 2686, Ext 242

mdsandy@naskapi.ca

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James’s Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: IOC

Source: Rio Tinto

FAQ

What is the Aganow Agreement between IOC and the Naskapi Nation?

The Aganow Agreement is a socio-economic partnership aimed at improving collaboration and creating opportunities for the Naskapi Nation with IOC.

How does the Aganow Agreement benefit the Naskapi Nation?

It promotes training, employment, and financial benefits while helping to protect their culture and environment.

When was the Aganow Agreement signed?

The Aganow Agreement was signed recently, following two years of negotiations.

What has IOC committed to in the Aganow Agreement?

IOC has committed to building beneficial relationships and has expressed regret for its past lack of understanding of the Naskapi culture.

What collaborative projects have IOC and the Naskapi Nation worked on?

They have collaborated on projects like fiber optic installation and a prefeasibility study for a caribou farm.