| Summary: | Mining exploration and production are rapidly increasing in remote regions of the world where traditionally large scale mining has not taken place such as in the North of Quebec in Canada. In these remote areas, mining companies frequently take over lands and territories of Indigenous Peoples disrupting their traditional livelihoods. Indigenous Peoples have specific rights to land and resources, rights to free prior informed consent as well as participation in decision making. A number of CSR initiatives have been taken by mining companies to shift towards responsible business and participation of Indigenous communities in decision making. Yet the implementation of meaningful approaches to participation is not common or in many cases not properly applied in practice. Furthermore although Aborginal particpation is highly promoted in the business industry little is known how Indigenous communities perceive proper conditions for participation and FPIC process. This study examines the perspectives of James Bay Cree First Nations in the North of Québec on the participation process with Troilus mine project and the implementation and implications of the Troilus agreement on the Cree. Additionaly the study scrutinizes the internal participation and FPIC process in two Cree communities and the impacts of mining on the Cree First Nation. Key words: Indigenous Peoples, mining, livelihood, human rights, participation, FPIC, Cree First Nation, CSR, corporate Aboriginal agreement, development impacts, Canada.
|
|---|