Lands and Resources

Overview

The Lands and Resources Department is responsible for AAN’s primary and focal point for preserving and safeguarding the land within our traditional territory. It ensures the good health of the land, AAN’s ability to exercise its inherent and treaty rights, and the maintenance of a close relationship with the land now, and for future generations.

Lands and Resources monitors land-use in AAN’s Traditional Territory to ensure that any development is environmentally responsible and respectful of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation treaty and aboriginal rights. It also maintains data on Apitipi Anicinapek Nation historical and present land use through collaboration with archeologists and by recording oral history.

Coming Soon: Land use code, strategic plan, AAN engagement, consent Law, AAN Resource and Development Committee

Mandate

The inherent treaty rights of AAN and its members need to be represented. Lands and Resources helps to develop a connection between industry proponents and AAN membership, ensuring AAN’s rights and land are respected and protected.

Lands and Resources Committee

Pauline Nadon, Maurice Parent. Terms of reference coming soon.

Mining

• Agnico Eagle – Upper Beaver Gold Project
• Kirkland Lake Gold (Macassa, Holt, Holloway and Taylor Mines)
• Detour Gold – Kirkland Lake Gold  – West Detour Project
• McEwen Mining – Black Fox Complex
• Newmont: Porcupine Mines
• Pan American Silver: Bell Creek Mine
• Gatling Resources
• High Gold
• Moneta Porcupine
• Orefinders Resources Inc.
• Victoria Gold Mines (Golden Arrow Project)

Exploration

Exploration Companies in Traditional Territory

We are actively searching for and monitoring the exploration activity in Wahgoshig Territory with a number of companies identified for potential exploration agreements. It is our practice and mandate to pursue exploration opportunities with companies operating in our territory with a number already identified for 2022.

Fish and Wildlife

Fish Habitat Protection and environmental monitoring, within fisheries compliance monitoring for resource development projects in AAN traditional territory.

Land Use

Wahgoshig is starting to prepare a land use plan for the reserve. The land use plan will set out a long-term vision for land uses and infrastructure (houses, commercial areas, roads, utilities, cultural spaces, etc.) that will support future community growth. The planning process will involve discussions about what other lands should be added to the reserve to benefit our members. A planning team including a AAN Planning Coordinator, AAN Lands Advisory Committee and consulting team is being retained to lead this process. Funding and training is being provided through the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association (NALMA).

Land Use Plan is underway now.

Engagement Law

8ik8atci8in acitc onakotamo8in Inakonike8in 

(Engagement and Consent Law)

In early 2021, AAN working with internal and external advisors embarked on revising and updating the previous Consultation and Accommodation Policy and created an Engagement and Consent Law. Once endorsed by Council and the community, this Law will provide direction to industry and other governments about how AAN must be engaged on projects and activities that impact AAN inherent and Treaty rights. A complementary toolkit that will be used internally by AAN staff will support implementation of this Law.

Forestry

Romeo Malette, Timiskaming Forest Alliance Inc. and Abitibi River Forest  Management Inc.

Forestry:

Lands and Resources will continue to participate in, plan and obtain benefits from contracts, sub-contracting, and more timber allotments for Wahgoshig Resources Inc. (WRI) and Black Diamond Forestry (BDF).