WINDFALL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING COMMITTEE – MEANINGFULLY ENGAGING A FIRST NATION COMMUNITY

Consultation with the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi began in 2015. In July 2019, with the goal of continuing to achieve meaningful and transparent dialogue, the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi and Osisko Mining formed the Windfall Environmental Monitoring Committee.

This committee meets monthly and includes a family representative from W25B trapline, the Waswanipi Mining Coordinator, the Waswanipi Local Environment Advisor, the Osisko Mining Environmental Senior Technician and the Osisko Mining Senior Sustainable Development Coordinator. Other community members may also participate, including the Deputy Chief, the Cree Trappers’ Association representatives, the Waswanipi Forestry Consultant Expert or Osisko Mining experts. The objective of the committee is to ensure effective consultation with the Tallyman’s family and the Waswanipi community. Each month, we share information about our exploration and construction activities and environmental performance and protocols. We organize surface and underground site visits. The Tallyman’s family acts as an environmental monitor and is invited to perform site inspections, make suggestions and raise concerns. The information gathered during these meetings is transmitted to the management team to adjust activities and answer questions and concerns. This committee is also working on ways to incorporate Cree traditional knowledge into environmental baseline reports to be included in the Environmental Assessment. This specific aspect will be enhanced in 2020.