January 16, 2018
Next weeks’ Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) Round-up in Vancouver, BC is one of the global mining industry’s premier events.
It will be an important opportunity for the NWT to promote and sell its mineral potential to investors, exploration companies, and established players in the mining industry. As importantly, it is an opportunity to highlight the NWT’s willingness and capacity to welcome and support new mining projects.
Providing a tangible demonstration of the strong and united support that NWT residents have for mining, will be a delegation of over 40 representatives of NWT Indigenous governments and their development corporations.
(Photo: 2017 Round Up)
In attendance to advance varying individual mining interests and capacities, they will be promoting regional projects and support services while working alongside GNWT officials to highlight Indigenous support for NWT mineral exploration and development overall.
Representatives of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich’in Tribal Corporation, NWT Metis Nation and Sahtu, Tlicho, Dehcho and Akaitcho regional governments are all planning to attend.
For some, it is a learning experience, for others – who have been there before, it’s an opportunity to roll up their sleeves; showcase their regions, network with potential investors and developers and solicit business and partnerships.
Enhancing Aboriginal Engagement and Community Capacity Building is the third pillar of the GNWT’s Mineral Development Strategy. The GNWT is investing $92,000 this year to provide opportunities at Round Up for Indigenous governments to increase their knowledge of the minerals industry and build valuable relationships with industry and government players.
(Photo: 2017 Round Up)
Since introducing the Strategy in 2014, the GNWT has been investing to better position Indigenous governments to effectively participate in all stages of mineral development. Round Up is one of many events through which the Department of Industry Tourism and Investment’s Client Service and Community Relations (CSCR) Unit is helping communities to realize these opportunities.
“The trade show booth alone allowed us to meet 75 contacts and potential partners,” Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said of the 2017 event. “Our participation in this event was well worth the cost (when considering) the future benefits it could bring for the Dehcho First Nations, and the territory as a whole.”
Duane Smith, Chair and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) was also in attendance last year.
“Thanks to funds provided by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment to attend AME Roundup, staff from the IRC gained valuable knowledge on the minerals industry,” he said.
This year’s event will feature an NWT “gathering space” distinguished by a representative teepee overarching a meeting circle.
“This is an opportunity to show the world what our territory has to offer,” said Minister Schumann. “We’re proud to be doing so not only as a government, but with fellow MLAs from the legislature and our partners from Indigenous governments.”
AME Roundup runs from January 23-27, 2018.