Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Access Corridor Project
Final Environmental Study Report
Section 3.1.4 describes the involvement of the Protocol Nations in the archaeological and biological
assessment work conducted to date. This Section also describes the efforts regarding the
dissemination of information to the communities and collection of traditional knowledge in relation to
the Springpole Gold Project.
GCU believes it has taken all reasonable steps in good faith to consult with the Protocol First Nation
regarding the Project. Concerns identified during these open houses have been generally reflected
in Table 3-1 and in detail in Appendix 8. GCU has assessed the Project and designed it in
accordance with good practice to avoid or minimize environmental and social impacts in the region
and on the Protocol Nations’ Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
3.1.2 Wabauskang First Nation
A letter of introduction and a map showing the two proposed road alternatives was sent by email to
Wabauskang First Nation (“WFN”) on 9 May 2012, extending an invitation to meet with the Chief
and his representatives to discuss the project. GCU received verbal confirmation that the
introductory documents were received, but a meeting was not scheduled at that time.
On 21 July 2012, a copy of the Base Case Project Description Report was mailed to WFN as part of
the pre-screening consultation efforts for the road proposal. Contact with WFN was established to
confirm that the Base Case Project Description had been received. No comments were offered on
the proposal at that time.
An introductory meeting was held between representatives from WFN, Bimose Tribal Council and
GCU on 4 October 2012. GCU presented background information on the company and the
proposed (access corridor) Project, which it understood to be partly within Treaty 3 area and within
WFN’s area of interest, based on information provided by the Crown. GCU asked the
representatives from WFN and Bimose Tribal Council to present the Project information to the Chief
and Council and to provide comments to GCU.
On 28 November 2012, GCU scheduled a meeting and Open House session in WFN. At the
meeting, WFN expressed concern that GCU had been in discussions with other First Nations for a
long time before WFN was contacted by GCU.
GCU explained that consultation was being undertaken under the direction of the Crown. WFN was
not identified by the Crown as having rights in the Springpole Gold Project area. GCU also explained
that before April 2012, the consultation that had been undertaken with the other First Nation
communities was primarily about the work at the Springpole Gold Project site. When GCU proposed
construction of the road, the Crown advised GCU to discuss the road with WFN, because part of the
road crossed through Treaty 3, where WFN holds Aboriginal and Treaty rights. WFN advised GCU
that they were still working to define the boundary of their Traditional Lands and would update GCU
when more information was available. No WFN members attended the afternoon Open House
session, so GCU left a copy of the Project maps and the road proposal presentation in the
community for further review by interested parties.
On 13 December 2012, GCU received a letter from WFN asserting that the proposed Springpole
Gold Project is in WFN Traditional Territory and that WFN’s Aboriginal and Treaty Rights will be
impacted. A budget for an independent environmental review of the Access Corridor Project was
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