Kanak delegation visits Canada to voice concerns about INCO.

A high level delegation from Kanaky (New Caledonia) visited Canada in March to express their concern over upcoming plans by Canadian nickel mining company, INCO, to build a massive nickel mine in the island territory.

The fact-finding mission included members of the Customary Senate and the Rheebu Nuu Monitoring Committee and came after INCO shut down construction of the Goro Nickel project in Kanaky. The delegation met with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Matthew Coon Come, the Grand Council of Cree, Makivik Corporation and a representative of the Innu Nation. The group also met with Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific David Kilgour and Paul Bernier of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and made presentations to Parliamentary Committees in Ottawa.

After ten days of meetings and exchanges in Canada, the delegation found that some Canadian aboriginal peoples and mining companies have succeeded in defining a framework for negotiations that takes into account the claims and interests of the Indigenous people of Canada.

Georges Manadooue, Senator and member of the Customary Senate, said, "From our point of view these negotiations between mining companies and native peoples in Canada are encouraging for all Indigenous peoples who suffer under the relentless spread of globalization, exploitation and profit-making by multinational corporations."

Rock Wamytan, High Chief of the St. Louis tribe and Minister for Customary Affairs in the Government of New Caledonia, shares this view. "We call upon INCO management to engage resolutely and clearly into negotiations with the Rheebu Nuu Committee and the Customary Senate, in the spirit of what has been done in Canada. The objectives we want to reach together with INCO must guarantee a sustainable development and succeed in a real benefit-sharing between INCO and New Caledonia. This represents the realization of the spirit and the letter of the Noumea Accord that a Canadian mining company cannot overturn." The Noumea Accord, passed by referendum in 1998, defines New Caledonia's institutions and relations with France for the next 15-20 years. It sets out a timetable by which New Caledonia is to assume responsibility for most areas of government.

Following the Kanak delegation's trip to Canada, INCO CEO Scott Hand travelled to New Caledonia to speak at a community meeting in April. He attempted to address local concerns about the suspension of the Gore Nickel project construction, and promised a process of consultation with the mayors of affected communities to look at ways to promote local employment and training programmes, and allow local businesses to benefit from the project. He said that following the consultation process, he was hopeful INCO could sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the mayors.

MiningWatch Canada, an Ottawa-based NGO opposing irresponsible mineral policies, organized the delegation. Indigenous Kanak leaders continue to have strong concerns about the impact the project will have on the livelihood and health of their communities. More info: www.miningwatch.ca/issues