SASKATOON — The Clearwater River Dene Nation took a significant step toward sustainable and environmentally friendly resource development by signing a mutual benefit agreement with Fission Uranium Corp., a Canadian operating company under Paladin Energy Ltd.
CRDN Chief Teddy Clark said the Agreement highlights the partnership built by both parties and ensures the former’s Council will be at the forefront of decision-making regarding any activities in their traditional territory in Treaty 8.
“I am proud to announce the [MBA] signing with Fission. We are committed to ensuring that our community is the primary focus regarding any impacts from resource development. We aim to create sustainable opportunities that benefit the CRDN and respect our land and rights,” said Clark.
“We want to emphasize that CRDN is open to resource development, but it must be done with respect for our people and through meaningful community engagement. We prioritize including our community's voice in every step of the process. We focus on implementing a vision supporting economic growth and sustainability for future generations.”
The site lies within Treaty 8 Territory and within the lands currently and historically used by CRDN to exercise its Aboriginal and Treaty rights in the southwestern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan.
Clark said that, by working together, they can achieve a balanced approach to meeting the needs of the CRDN community behind responsible development.
“As I always say to the industry: ‘Your success will be based on our success.’ This principle guides our partnerships and ensures that the CRDN and industry partners thrive together. In unity and strong leadership,” said Clark.
Paladin Energy CEO Ian Purdy said their team at Fission Uranium is excited to work with the CRDN community and the people of Saskatchewan.
“Our goal is to make a significant contribution to the region and local communities by being a good operator and neighbour in the southwestern Athabasca Basin and help to deliver a meaningful economic, social and environmental legacy for the local community by working in partnership with CRDN and other Indigenous Nations,” said Purdy.
The Agreement establishes and secures Fission's long-term working relationship with CRDN. Both parties will collaborate to ensure the Project delivers shared economic and social benefits to CRDN.
The Agreement follows the Engagement and Capacity Agreement signed between CRDN and Fission in March 2021. It marks the transition to a new phase of the Company’s relationship with CRDN as the Project moves towards construction and operations.
The Agreement confirms the support and consent of CRDN for the Project, from development through to decommissioning and reclamation. Fission believes the Agreement will demonstrate to provincial and federal regulators CRDN support for PLS and that mechanisms for meaningful engagement are in place as the ProjeProjectnces to the permitting and licensing phases.
