The Mineral and Mines Unit was established within the Union of Ontario Indians in May of 2010 and currently is staffed with a Mineral and Mines Policy Analyst. The goal of the Mineral and Mines unit is to improve communication, dialouge, and relations between the Anishinabek Nation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The Minerals and Mines unit working area encompasses the traditional territory of the 40 member communities of the Anishinabek Nation.

 

Purpose 

 

The Anishinabek Nation has had the immediate task of discussing the Modernization of the Ontario Mining Act. In addition, the Union of Ontario Indian has been mandated to develop an Anishinabek Mining Strategy and to strengthen collaboration with the Ontario government, educate and heighten the level of awareness of minerals and mining process for our member communities, especially among the youth, and to promote the importance of the mining sector to our First Nation communities.

 

Towards this, the Union of Ontario Indians has staffed a Minerals and Mines Policy Analyst, who will be working out of the Thunder Bay office, to implement the Anishinabek Mining Strategy with set goals.

 

 

The Union of Ontario Indians have developed the Anishinabek Mining Strategy that includes the following 5 goals:

 

 

A technical table will be established as an advisory body and provide a process to better identify current and emerging issues of interest to both parties, support discussion on mining issues, allow for information exchange, facilitate a common understanding, build upon relationships and allow for the collaboration on the resolution of issues identified. Joint exploration will  take place at the technical table to research and develop mechanisms for capacity building and stewardship of the Anishinabek Nation.