preview

First Nations Conflict In Canada

Decent Essays

Introduction/Background The goal of this paper is to talk about the conflicts between the First Nations and mining companies in Canada; to describe the current situation they are in and also examine the various outcomes of this situation. First Nations refers to Status and non-status Indian peoples in Canada. Historians have grouped the First Nations in Canada according to six main geographic areas. First Nations within these six areas are characterized by similar cultures and largely shaped by an environment. The six groups are Woodland First Nations, Iroquoian First Nations, Plains First Nations, Plateau First Nations, Pacific Coast First Nations and the First Nations of the Mackenzie and Yukon River Basins. Prior to contact with the Europeans, …show more content…

British Columbia mining laws provide some safeguards for First Nations and the environment, but they favor the industry they are intended to regulate and do not adequately institutionalize the special protections First Nations are entitled to under international and domestic law. Although some First Nations have benefited from mining, they still bear an unfair burden at every point in the mining process; from the registration of claims to exploration, production, and abandonment of closed sites. The province’s mining laws are seen as a problem according to the Takla Lake First Nation in northern British Columbia, based on their experiences with mining companies. Although Takla has good relations with some mining companies, the people have doubted the companies’ new projects. This is as a result of how community members feel they are not been carried along in the process that reviews proposals with mining claims and projects on their traditional territory. Takla has several abandoned operations, major exploration sites and mine has seen the range of harms caused by different stages of mining. The community members have reported destruction of habitat, a decrease in wildlife, and a fear of health problems as a result of contamination. Due to the damage done to their environment, some had to relocate to other places. As a result of the new environment they were …show more content…

In exchange for their environment, the companies agree to provide jobs like laborers, managers and traders; education; financial payments; business and economic development. This makes the First Nations to take up leadership roles in their communities, the mining sector and the society at large. Also, First Nations makes these mining companies to respect and recognize their rights and titles. The companies also provide environmental protection. By consulting the First nations first before using their lands and providing benefits, they will be no conflicts between the mining companies and First

Get Access