A new partnership between local First Nations communities and Technica Mining of Sudbury was recently acknowledged with a pipe ceremony.
Technica is a global mining, engineering, finance and construction firm with its head office in Sudbury.
As a follow-up to the recent legal signing and creation of the Aki-eh Dibinwewziwin partnership, a formal pipe smoking and sharing ceremony conducted by local Knowledge Keepers.
The partner communities included Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Sagamok Anishnawbek, and Wahnapitae First Nations.
Through the new partnership – called Aki-eh Dibinwewziwin – Technica will now provide world-class mine contracting services for their partners and meaningfully participate in the economic benefits in territorial lands within the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory, said the release.
Gimaa Craig Nootchtai of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, located 20 kilometres west of the City of Greater Sudbury, commented on the agreement when it was first announced in May.
“Atikameksheng Anishnawbek recognizes this partnership as a major step forward for our Debendaagziwaad on the path to true sovereignty and independence,” he said. “The cooperative we establish now will benefit our people for generations by creating high-value careers and lucrative business opportunities for our community.”
The pipe ceremony event was held on July 6, to solidify the new partnership, said a news release from Technica.
Traditionally, pipe ceremonies are used in negotiations between different nations to create mutual understanding. During a pipe ceremony, it is always expected that the partners would be truthful, respectful and honour the decisions and agreements that were made during the negotiations, the company said.
The event was witnessed by local chiefs Gimaa (chief) Craig Nootchtai of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Gimaa Angus Toulouse of Sagamok Anishnawbek, Chief Larry Roque of Wahnapitae First Nation and along with Mario Grossi, CEO of Technica Mining.
The new partnership promotes sustainable mining practices while respecting Indigenous rights and traditions, said Technica Mining. Aki-eh Dibinwewziwin is one of Ontario’s largest Indigenous-owned Underground Mine Contracting Partnerships.
- Sudbury.com
