Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Calls on Governments to Reject Approvals for Fission Uranium Corp.’s PLS Uranium Project

Press Release

August 14, 2024 – Treaty 6 Territory and the Heartland of the Métis, Saskatoon, SK – Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is calling on the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan to reject efforts by Fission Uranium Corp. (TSX:FCU) to advance its PLS Uranium Mine that will extract uranium ore from underneath Patterson Lake.

Located within Northern Region II (NR2), Patterson Lake is significant to the Métis of Northwest Saskatchewan. Métis have long used the lake, its shores, and surrounding areas to hunt, fish, trap and travel. These activities have been harmed by mineral exploration activities, which have disturbed Métis practices and the species that Métis communities rely on. Métis commercial fishing, as just one example, no longer occurs within Patterson Lake.

MN–S NR2 Regional Director Leonard Montgrand said, “Patterson Lake sits at the heart of our Métis Northwest Land Claim and is a critical area of Métis land use. Over the years, as mining activities in the area have increased, our land users have reduced their activities in the area, including the loss of the Métis commercial fishery on Patterson Lake. We offered to sit down in a spirit of collaboration with Fission five years ago – something that we offer to all exploration companies operating within NR2 – but Fission rejected that and subsequent offers. Now that our Métis Citizens have decided to support the development of Rook 1, which will be developed in collaboration with the Métis, we are concerned with the development of a second mine on Patterson Lake, the cumulative effects it could have, and Fission as its proponent.”

MN–S and NR2 are supportive of economic development that can create opportunities and benefits for all Canadians. But this does not mean that every proposed mine should be approved or that the Métis are unconcerned by the intensive exploration activities occurring in and around Patterson Lake.

MN–S Vice President and Minister of Lands and Environment, Michelle LeClair said, “The MN–S supports the development of opportunities across Saskatchewan where they do not come at the expense of Métis rightsholders. Where Métis

rightsholders and lands are developed, we expect proponents to engage in good faith to gain the support of impacted Métis rightsholders. We also expect governments to recognize Indigenous free, prior, informed consent as a critical consideration in granting permits and approvals. If Métis rights, protected under s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 are to have any value, governments must be willing to reject projects that are harmful to Métis Citizens.”

Patterson Lake is already expected to host the significant Rook 1 uranium mine – a project that will be developed in collaboration with the Métis to ensure that Métis rights and communities are appropriately respected and accommodated. The addition of Fission’s PLS Uranium Mine across the water from Rook 1, will significantly complicate environmental effects, add pressure on the species Métis communities rely on, and further alienate Métis rightsholder from their historic and continuing connection to Patterson Lake.

The PLS Uranium Mine is a problematic development in a problematic location. At a very minimum, any approvals should be placed on hold until Rook 1 is fully operational, so that there can be a clear understanding of any impacts from the first mine and a baseline in place to reliably assess the cumulative effects of the PLS Uranium Mine. In the meantime, any authorizations should be subject to Fission obtaining the consent of impacted Indigenous rightsholders consistent with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The MN–S and NR2 also call on the Province of Saskatchewan to end its “blank-cheque” approach to exploration in and around Patterson Lake. The MN–S recently learned that Saskatchewan has authorized a massive exploration program by Fission that will involve up to 200 drill holes, including 100 within Patterson Lake itself. The approval also allows for Fission to establish 45 kilometres of trails. This is not merely “prospecting”, but likely involves up to a hundred people, as well as aircraft and heavy machinery, all of which add stress to our environment and discourage Métis land use in and around Patterson Lake. This level of impact goes beyond “a death by a thousand cuts” that has already afflicted Patterson Lake. Fission’s massive exploration program is similar to what would be expected for a smaller mining operation and it should be assessed as such.

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About Métis Nation–Saskatchewan:

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is built on a foundation of Métis identity, culture, values and language. Empowered by the Métis citizens of Saskatchewan, MN–S works to advance Métis rights and strengthen organizational capacity. MN– S represents the political, socioeconomic, cultural and educational interests of Métis in the province through an elected representative system at local, regional and provincial levels.

For media inquiries:

Rena Montgomerie – MN–S Senior Communications Officer r.montgomerie@mns.work or 306-250-1092

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