Giant Mine Cooperation Agreement

“Through these agreements, the Government of Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation are solidifying their commitment to work together on Giant Mine issues. I congratulate the parties on this historic achievement. Lena Black, CEO of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, said the new funding available under the agreements “will provide more training and employment opportunities for the Yellowknives Dene, in addition to long-term monitoring of the site, where 237,000 tonnes of deadly arsenic will still be frozen.” A supplementary agreement, called the Framework Supply Agreement, will be finalized in the coming months and will ensure a common understanding of how Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation will work together on procurement issues. “We are renewing the relationship between the Crown and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation by affirming rights, respect, cooperation and partnership. By signing these important agreements, we are addressing the impact Giant Mine has had on its community and are committed to working together to advance these issues. Between 1948 and 2004, Giant Mine was a major economic driver for Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. When the mine ceased operations and Canada became the site manager, attention focused on the environmental issues left behind. The most notable are the 237,000 tons of arsenic trioxide stored in underground chambers. Between 1948 and 2004, Giant Mine was a major economic driver for Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. When the mine ceased operations and Canada became the site manager, attention focused on the environmental issues left behind. The rehabilitation of Giant Mine began in July 2021. In addition to eliminating arsenic trioxide waste, the project includes the demolition and removal of all buildings on the surface, as well as the rehabilitation of surfaces, including tailings ponds, water management and treatment options.

The Collaborative Process Protocol Agreement, which “governs how Canada and YKDFN will work together to respond to the request for an apology and compensation for the historic operation of the Giant Mine site,” according to a news release from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. This agreement includes the obligation to advise YKDFN members on what exactly an apology and compensation will look like. The Community Benefits Agreement outlines how the project team and Yellowknives Dene are working together to help the First Nation realize the socio-economic benefits of the redevelopment project. This agreement includes funding of up to $20 million over 10 years to support capacity building during the active remediation and adaptive management phase of the Giant Mine Remediation Project. The objective of the agreement is to give the First Nation greater certainty about the long-term commitments of the projects. The mine, known to YKDFN members as the Giant Monster, is responsible for more than 237,000 tonnes of arsenic trioxide and contamination of traditional First Nations territories. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) and the Canadian government have reached three new agreements outlining how the parties will break with the toxic legacy of the former Giant Mine. Correcting historical injustices and working together to renew our relationship is essential to advancing reconciliation with Canada`s First Nations.

The Government of Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation are working together to investigate the legacy of Giant Mine and find a way to advance reconciliation. “We cannot change the history of giant mine`s impact on our people, but these agreements are an important step on the road to healing and prosperity for the future. Funding under the Community Benefits Agreement will provide more training and employment opportunities for the people of Yellowknives Dene and provide long-term monitoring of the site, where 237,000 tonnes of deadly arsenic will still be frozen forever. The three agreements, known as the Collaborative Process Protocol Agreement, the Memorandum of Cooperation and the Community Benefits Agreement, were developed jointly by Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The three deals were announced Friday, formalizing plans to apologize and compensate Yellowknives Dene for polluting the mine. Today, the parties signed three agreements to renew our relationship and address the mine`s heritage and provide socio-economic benefits through the Giant Mine Remediation Project. The former gold mine is part of a history of “broken promises,” said Chief Edward Sangris, Chief Dettah of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, who participated in the new agreements. “This is the beginning, not the end,” Chief Sangris said in a statement.

“We will continue the necessary work for apologies and compensation, and for our elders and people to finally return to the land and water that have been healed,” he added. The federal government has agreed to provide up to $20 million over the next decade in compensation for how the historic operation and clean-up of the arsenic trioxide-contaminated Giant Mine affected the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Lena Black CEO Yellowknives Dene First Nation 867-873-4307 Ext 2009lblack@ykdene.com “When we met with MPs and ministers in Ottawa and told them the story of giant Mine on the Yellowknives Dene and Canada`s broken promises, many heard it for the first time. After more than 70 years, we are finally starting to bring our embassy to Canada and see some reconciliation in action. This is the beginning, not the end. We will continue the work necessary to obtain an apology and compensation, and for our elders and people to finally return to the land and water that have been healed. The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations on time. The industry must clean up its own mess before closing a facility.

We are still fighting for drinking water with 2 legal cases that have been dismissed. Berendsen v. Ontario. 4 days before the opening of the Doors of the SofC, an agreement has been reached and no one is talking. Ernst v Encana was sunk by Justice Abella, who described Judith Ernst as a “vexatious trial lawyer” with no supporting facts. The same judge applauded my MaClean`s magazine and they never recognized or printed the letter. From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada “Canada recognizes the tremendous work done by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation on this important issue and appreciates the opportunity to continue to work together on the path to reconciliation and healing. We are committed to moving forward in collaboration with the First Nation. The Community Benefits Agreement promises funding of up to $20 million over 10 years to support capacity building throughout the remediation of Giant Mine. The funding is intended to support the monitoring and training of community sites. It will fund a community economic development officer, a community liaison officer and technical officer positions, as well as a land healing ceremony, the statement said. Media Relations Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada 819-934-2302RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca Ryan Cotter Director of Communications for the Honourable Daniel Vandal Minister of Northern Affairs 819-953-1153 The Yellowknives Dene First Nation is committed to advancing a number of important socio-economic projects in the area of governance support and resources; Housing; mental health and addiction treatment; education, training and skills development; and infrastructure.

The funds will also go to community monitoring of the site. You can subscribe to our press releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to register, visit www.cirnac.gc.ca/RSS Funding includes support for an economic department, scholarships and education, the role of the Community Economic Development Officer, a role as a Community and Technical Liaison Officer, and a land healing ceremony. The Honourable Daniel Vandal, P.C., M.P., Minister of Northern Affairs The Memorandum of Cooperation outlines how Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, along with other federal partners, will work together to address environmental, economic and social priorities arising from the impact of mining. The main objective of the project is to protect human health and safety as well as the environment. This requires the long-term containment and management of arsenic trioxide waste and water treatment, as well as the cleaning of the site surface. Lena Black, CEO, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, on behalf of Chief Ndilo of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation The rehabilitation of the Giant Mine site began in July 2021. Negotiations began in January and February 2021 with a community meeting between the Chiefs of the Dene Yellowknives First Nation and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal. On September 18, 2020, the Minister of Northern Affairs approved the Type A Water Licence and Land Use Permit for the Giant Mine Remediation Project. Obtaining the Type A Water Licence and Land Use Permit represents years of tremendous work by the project team, community partners, rights holders and stakeholders, technical experts and the public. The Collaborative Process Protocol Agreement governs how Canada and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation will work together to respond to the demand for an apology and compensation for the historic Giant Mine operation. .