Objective: Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal British Columbia will seek opportunities to better align its operations with the aspirations of First Nations groups within its operating areas.
There is a close link between Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal British Columbia and its support of regional economic diversification evolving relationships with local First Nations.
Key initiatives during 2005 and 2006 supported economic development opportunities targeted to First Nations communities, such as:
- Rio Tinto Alcan continued sponsorship of the Na Na Kila Institute and Northwest Community College to host the Kitlope Field School, a five-day field trip and delivering anthropology and geography courses to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Kitlope Heritage Convervancy.
- Rio Tinto Alcan, the Haisla Nation and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) joined forces to establish an environmental convenant to protect the local Pine Creek hiking trail and watercourse in perpetuity in June 2006.
- Rio Tinto Alcan hosted a conference in Vancouver on ‘Building Sustainable Relationships: Aboriginal Engagement and Sustainability’ in February 2005.
- Rio Tinto Alcan, Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, the Haisla Nation, Cascadia Materials Inc. and Arthon Construction jointly announced its partnerships in new businesses to diversify communities in Alcan’s operating areas in April 2005.
- Rio Tinto Alcan, Kitimat Valley Institute, K.T. Industrial Development Society and the Haisla Business Development Corporation launched a Regional Industrial Development Centre, the first of its kind in northwest BC, to promote economic diversification initiatives in September 2005.
- Rio Tinto Alcan, Kitamaat Village Council, Skeena Native Development Society and Kitimat Valley Institute partnered together and launched a ‘Job Readiness’ education program for eligible Haisla First Nations individuals in December 2005.
- Building on a protocol agreement with the Haisla First Nation in 2002, a letter of intent was signed in 2005 that became the basis for transferring six parcels of land to the Haisla – effectively doubling their land base.
Rio Tinto Alcan’s Watershed Area Initiatives
The Nechako Reservoir contains large volumes of submerged timber, and new underwater harvesting technology was piloted and carried out under an MOU between Triton Logging Inc., Rio Tinto Alcan and the Cheslatta Carrier First Nation. In addition to generating employment, the pilot project may lead to a value-added manufacturing facility.
The Rio Tinto Alcan-Three Nations Forest Stewardship Initiative continued in 2005, enabling Rio Tinto Alcan to fulfill its resource-stewardship responsibilities with respect to beetle control harvesting on lands it owns. The harvesting and silviculture work, conducted by the three First Nations in the watershed region, provide employment, capacity-building, and a revenue stream from timber sales. In addition, the three Nations contribute a percentage of their yield to te Southside Community Legacy Fund Society, which was incorporated during 2005.
In 2005, senior executives of Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal in British Columbia were involved in the early development of an Alcan Inc. global policy on indigenous relations, which was formed in part by successes in British Columbia. Feel free to read this policy and others in the PDFs provided.