Continued failure to consult on uranium exploration a harmful mistake: Mi’kmaw chiefs
Nova Scotia’s failure to consult with First Nations on uranium exploration is a critical mistake that threatens to deepen the divide between the province and Mi’kmaw communities. The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and a lawyer from Sipekne’katik First Nation have expressed their concerns over the lack of consultation in the decision-making process.
Chief Tamara Young of Pictou Landing First Nation highlighted the fact that the Mi’kmaw people were not consulted or informed when Nova Scotia passed a bill allowing for potential uranium mining and fracking. This lack of consultation directly contradicts the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which emphasizes the importance of involving Indigenous communities in decisions that affect their land and resources.
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs has made it clear that they will continue to oppose uranium exploration and hydraulic fracturing until their environmental concerns are adequately addressed. The province’s decision to prioritize critical minerals like uranium without consulting with Mi’kmaw communities only serves to further strain their already fragile relationship.
Rosalie Francis, a Mi’kmaw lawyer, warned that Nova Scotia’s failure to consult early and effectively could jeopardize any potential uranium industry in the province. By neglecting to involve Indigenous communities in the decision-making process, the government risks alienating investors and damaging the trust between Mi’kmaw communities and the province.
Several municipalities, including Pictou County and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, have called on the government to slow down its push for uranium exploration and allow for consultations and information sessions. Despite this pushback, the province has opened three plots of land for uranium project proposals, potentially impacting private landowners in the affected areas.
The province’s approach to uranium exploration is reminiscent of the controversial Alton Gas project, which faced significant opposition from Indigenous protesters and allies. The project was ultimately scrapped after years of delays and legal challenges, highlighting the importance of meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities in resource development projects.
The situation in Nova Scotia reflects a broader trend of expedited extraction projects across Canada, with the federal government supporting moves to speed up development at the expense of Indigenous and environmental rights. It remains to be seen whether Nova Scotia will learn from past mistakes and engage with Mi’kmaw communities in a meaningful and respectful manner, or risk repeating the same divisive patterns seen in the past.
