March 27, 2014
Pauktuutit, UBC, team up to document impacts of Meadowbank mine on women and families
A new report prepared by Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and researchers at the University of British Columbia paints a troubling portrait of the effects of mining on Inuit women in Baker Lake, a community of 1,700 located 110 kilometres from Agnico Eagle’s Meadowbank gold mine.
The women told Pauktuutit that, due to the mine, they face discrimination, substance abuse, violence and a break-down in family relationships.
And their words couldn’t be more timely considering the push from industry and multiple levels of government to see more mines built and more Inuit trained and working: the report serves as both a snapshot and a warning.