Tahltan Nation and Nisga’a Nation announce new Seabridge KSM project partnership

The new partnership will optimise their participation at the Seabridge KSM project, further establishing the Nations as industry leaders in mining and exploration. This historic partnership was announced at AME Roundup in Vancouver, a conference hosted by the Association for Minerals Exploration.

The partnership between the Nations has been established through their respective development corporations, Tahltan Nation Development Corp. and Nisga’a Growth Corp. Both Nations will be equal partners in the newly established Treaty Creek Limited Partnership. Through the partnership, there will be new opportunities for Nation members through training, employment, and contraction with KSM.

The Nations have a long-standing, historical relationship that dates back centuries, including putting their differences aside and coming to a mutual understanding on the boundaries of their respective traditional territories. This was acknowledged and settled at Treaty Creek in 1898. Further, in 1977 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Terrace, reaffirming the Nations’ allegiance to one another. Most recently, the Nations’ partnership was further solidified at the Special Assembly of the Nisga’a Nation in New Aiyansh in May 2016 and again at Hoobiyee in Gingolx in 2019.

“On behalf of both the Nisga’a Nation and the Tahltan Nation, I would like to acknowledge Seabridge for their support and encouragement for the creation of our Treaty Creek Limited Partnership, and their willingness to actively engage and work with our Partnership on their KSM project, the world’s largest undeveloped gold project,” says Carol Danielson, Chair, Tahltan Nation Development Corp.

“Today we are bringing life to our long-standing relationship and historical memorandum of understanding by implementing those very provisions of the MOU that are intended to improve the quality of life of our Nisga’a and Tahltan people,” said Nisga’a Nation President Eva Clayton. “Through our partnership, we are creating a circle of certainty in the Golden Triangle that will attract investors to work with us in our territories.”

“In 2019, the Tahltan Nation had the honour of participating in the Hobiyee Celebration in the Nisga’a Village of Gingolx, where both Nations re-affirmed and committed to implementing the guiding principles of our 3 May 2016, Memorandum of Understanding. Together, we agreed to make our relationship an alliance. That has come to fruition with the creation of the Treaty Creek Limited Partnership, whereby the Nisga’a Nation and Tahltan Nation will combine forces to maximise joint opportunities on the Seabridge KSM Project,” said Chad Norman Day, President of the Tahltan Central Government.

The Nisga’a Nation settled the first modern-day Treaty in British Columbia in May 2000, providing ownership of over 2000 km2 of Nisga’a Lands in fee simple, constitutionally protected rights to over 26 000 km2 of Nisga’a Traditional Lands (the Nass Area), and law-making authority.

The Nisga’a Nation has appointed Chris McNeil and Andrew Robinson as its two Directors to the Partnership.

“There is so much potential to increase capacity with both Nations. Working together can only optimise participation in the industry while ensuring we are providing those capable with the support and tools to ensure they can build sustainable, life-time careers in the industry,” said Andrew Robinson, Director, Treaty Creek Limited Partnership.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/31012023/tahltan-nation-and-nisgaa-nation-announce-new-seabridge-ksm-project-partnership/