Being successful in remote, northern communities requires imagination, listening, and a deep commitment to helping people and communities in ways that matter to them. Agnico Eagle has a proud history of working collaboratively alongside these communities and fostering strong and respectful relationships.
After nearly 15 years of exploration and mining in Nunavut, we remain visitors on Inuit lands. We still have much to learn about northern culture and priorities from community leaders and local Elders.
Already, they have taught us the value of conducting inclusive and equitable consultations with local Inuit communities and stakeholders to advance community priority initiatives in meaningful ways.
For example, Agnico Eagle consistently collects, validates, and integrates Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) and Inuit Knowledge into our Nunavut operations and engagement activities. Under the leadership of our IQ and Wildlife Coordinator, Agnico Eagle established the Kivalliq Inuit Elders’ Advisory Committee to provide advice on how to incorporate traditional Inuit knowledge into community engagement activities; and has worked directly with local Hunters and Trappers’ organizations on traffic management, managing environmental impacts, naming protocols, and community mapping initiatives. This work has proven to be a valuable approach to assessing and monitoring the environmental, ecological, cultural, and socio-economic impacts and benefits of mining projects. It has also helped protect and support the Nunavummiut traditional way of life.
Examples of community collaboration and advisory groups in Nunavut:
• Kivalliq Inuit Elders’ Advisory Committee
• Terrestrial Advisory Group (TAG)
• Tailings Working Group
• Dust Committee
• Community Liaison Committees