Métis Nation Signs Landmark Impact Benefit Agreement and Exploration Agreement with Denison Mines Corp. for the Wheeler River Project

Press Release

Heartland of the Métis and Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatoon, SK – December 4, 2025 – The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (“MN–S”) is pleased to announce that it has signed an Impact Benefit Agreement (“IBA”) and an exploration agreement (“Exploration Agreement”), along with the Regional Directors of MN–S Northern Region I (“NR1”) and MN–S Northern Region III (“NR3”) and the Presidents of 13 MN–S Locals of MN–S NR1 and MN–S NR3 (together, the “Métis Nation”), with Denison Mines Corp. (“Denison”).

Landmark IBA

The IBA addresses Denison’s Wheeler River Project, including the development of the Phoenix deposit using in-situ recovery mining, and the potential future development of an underground mine for the Gryphon deposit. It provides commitments for Métis support of the Phoenix development, and pathways for securing Métis support for an underground mine at the Gryphon deposit. The IBA provides for the collaborative and ongoing involvement of the Métis Nation in the Wheeler River Project (including both Phoenix and Gryphon), including through:

⦁ environmental commitments and engagement;
⦁ Métis-led monitoring commitments, including funding of a Métis monitor;

⦁ training and employment opportunities and commitments for Métis Citizens,

⦁ robust business commitments throughout the life mines for both the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits;

⦁ capacity payments to support ongoing Métis involvement in Wheeler River activities; and

⦁ an ongoing royalty over resources extracted from the Wheeler River Project in recognition of the rights and interests of the Métis Nation, including the Northwest Saskatchewan Métis Land Claim, a significant portion of which will be set aside for future generations of MN–S NR1 and MN–S NR3 Métis Citizens.

The IBA represents a significant achievement for MN–S NR1 and MN–S NR3, who entered into a “Ni Mamawaponaan (United As One)” Agreement with the MN–S in May of 2024 to protect Métis rights and interests and ensure that the Wheeler River Project was developed in a manner that respected and reflected Métis interests, including the impact to the Northwest Saskatchewan Métis Land Claim. Negotiations with Denison lasted nearly a year, as the parties worked to find alignment. The Métis Nation’s negotiation mandate was set and revised from time-to-time by the Presidents of the 13 MN–S Locals.

The Métis Nation was represented in negotiations by:

⦁ Representing MN–S NR1: Laura Burnouf, Regional Director – Northern Region I
⦁ Representing MN–S NR1: George Natomagan, President Local 16 – Weyakwin
⦁ Representing MN–S NR3: Brennan Merasty, Regional Director – Northern Region III
⦁ Representing MN–S NR3: Louis Gardiner, President Local 21 – Îlle-à-la-Crosse
⦁ Representing MN–S: Matthew Vermette, Chief Operating Officer
⦁ Representing MN–S: Hilary Peterson, Senior General Counsel
⦁ Legal Counsel: Arend Hoekstra, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

⦁ Financial Advisor: Byron Dolan, Byron Dolan CPA

Exploration Agreement

The Exploration Agreement is record-breaking for the MN–S in terms of the breadth of areas covered and the number of Locals and Regions involved. The Exploration Agreement sets out a collaborative framework for the Métis Nation and Denison to design/plan and advance exploration activities within and across MN–S NR1 and MN–S NR3. The Agreement reduces the reliance of the Métis Nation on the Province of Saskatchewan’s consultation policy, which the MN–S is currently litigating, by working through a consent-based process with Denison. The Agreement also allows MN–S NR1 and MN–S NR3 to benefit from exploration activities conducted within those regions, including through business opportunities, employment commitments, and activity-based payments.

Glen McCallum, President of the MN–S government: I wish to congratulate MN-S Northern Region I, MN-S Northern Region III, each of the 13 MN-S Locals, and Denison on this tremendous achievement. This is another example of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan taking our place among the leading Indigenous governments in this Country in protecting our Constitutional rights and building a positive outcome and legacy for our Métis Citizens. Since we first started applying the “One Voice” approach, a lot has changed. Industry perspectives of our Nation have changed, how governments treat us has changed, and most importantly: our own understanding of what we can achieve has changed. In 2021, we challenged the Province’s unconstitutional consultation policy, in 2022, we challenged the granting of exploration permits without meaningful consultation, and in 2025, we defeated Saskatchewan at the Supreme Court of Canada. All of this has been built on the strength and potential of our Nation, acting with “One Voice”. I look forward to the development of the Phoenix deposit at the Wheeler River Project, for the realization of the collaborative relationship and to the transformational opportunities coming to MN-S NR1 and MN-S NR3.

Laura Burnouf, Regional Director MN–S NR1: Congratulations to the Locals and Métis citizens of MN–S NR1, as well as to our partners in MN–S NR3. We are looking forward to working with Denison to advance a mine at the Phoenix deposit that can bring new opportunities to our citizens. Since the earliest times, mines have opened up in our Homeland, and within the Northwest Saskatchewan Métis Land Claim, taken the wealth and left our lands polluted and stripped of their mineral and cultural value. The IBA and Exploration Agreement with Denison show that there can be a better way, where we can work as partners with the mining industry to secure jobs and apprenticeships for our youth, find opportunities for our businesses, and share in the wealth of our Homeland. Reaching this point wasn’t easy – we had to fight hard at every step to make sure the IBA wasn’t just good enough for today, but would also improve the lives of future generations of Métis citizens. I believe we have accomplished that goal with the IBA.

Brennan Merasty, Regional Director MN–S NR3: Our government enters all conversations with integrity, respecting our inherent rights, and with the voice of our citizens represented through us. Denison Mines has shown that same regard throughout our negotiations and we are proud with what we’ve accomplished today. Unlike previous developments, Denison will focus on local talent during construction and operation of Wheeler River, is committed to environmental reclamation, and will leave a lasting, positive legacy. This is a good day for our MN–S government, our MN–S northern regions, and most of all, our citizens.

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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 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. Social Media Links: @MNSask, @metisnationsask

For media inquiries:

Rena Montgomerie – MN–S Media and Issues Relations Manager r.montgomerie@mns.ca or 306-250-1092 or 1-877-MétisSK

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