Beaverhouse First Nation signs agreement with Agnico Eagle

Beaverhouse First Nation, in Kirkland Lake Ont., has signed an Impacts and Benefits Agreement (IBA) with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited regarding the company's Macassa Mine site.

Representatives from the First Nation and Agnico Eagle signed the agreement at Beaverhouse's office in Kirkland Lake on Dec. 16.

The IBA represents a continual working relationship between the First Nation and the company to provide opportunities to share resources extracted from Beaverhouse's traditional territory, as well as compensation from revenues, and employment, training and business opportunities for the members of Beaverhouse at the Macassa Mine site.

"The whole relationship that the country has been founded on is the mutual sharing of the resources. And it's nice that industry has come to the table to ensure that that is happening," said Beaverhouse First Nation Chief Wayne Wabie.

"We're in the time of truth and reconciliation. And this is a big step towards that in terms of our relationship with industry extracting resources from within the Beaverhouse traditional territory. So it's nice to have that happening and continuing to move forward."

 Wabie said their members have lived on land in the Kirkland Lake area for many years but the First Nation had not been included in previous revenue-sharing agreements with the mine's former owners. He said Agnico Eagle has been supportive in trying to rectify past wrongs from their predecessor.

"We are appreciative that Agnico Eagle was willing to work with our community regarding the historic Kirkland Lake Macassa Mine site," explained Wabie in a news release. 

"They carried on the legacy of previous owners when they took ownership of this mine site and they came to the table to work with us on this milestone agreement."

Agnico Eagle vice-president Andre Leite said in a news release the company is committed to their relationship with Beaverhouse going forward, when it comes to future projects.

"This agreement demonstrates our commitment in sustainable development and in respecting the First Nations that are part of the territory where we operate," said Leite. 

"We want to focus on sustainability and in ensuring that our relationships with First Nations are based on respect and trust." 

Wabie said the agreement is also significant for Beaverhouse First Nation because the community only achieved federal recognition in May 2022, after it was not originally included in the creation and signing of Treaty 9 in 1905/06.

The First Nation and Agnico Eagle are continuing negotiations toward an additional agreement in regards to the company's development of the Upper Beaver Mining Project northeast of Kirkland Lake, which is situated close to the current historic settlement of the community of Beaverhouse First Nation.

Both Wabie and Leite say both sides are committed to their partnership when negotiating, to ensure continual prosperity for all those in the Kirkland Lake area going forward.