Resource development a ‘double-edged sword for Indigenous communities: panel – Sudbury News
Panellists examine challenges, opportunities of mining in homelands
When it comes to hosting mining projects on their homelands, Indigenous communities are facing a double-edged sword, according to Ty Hourtovenko, a mineral development advisor for Missanabie Cree First Nation.
Communities prioritize safeguarding the land and water, but tools and equipment they benefit from — medical devices, planes used to travel out of remote communities, snow machines, chainsaws — all require the minerals that come out of the very ground they rely on for cultural practices.
“These are all modern amenities and byproducts of both the mineral industry and the oil industry,” said Hourtovenko, a former diamond driller.
