A mining company and a training society are working together to provide more employment opportunities for aboriginal people in the Cariboo region.
The pact was made between Taseko Mines and the B.C. Aboriginal Mine Training Association, which is affiliated with six post-secondary institutions in the province that have mining programs. Due to the heavy amount of mining activity going on in the Cariboo, the association took steps to locate a branch office in the area.
Taseko helped them get settled by donating office space and opening the channels of communication for achieving more employment for Cariboo aboriginal people at Taseko's Gibralter Mine near Quesnel and Williams Lake.
"Jobs for First Nations build stronger communities," said the company's vice-president of corporate affairs Brian Battison. "These opportunities will allow First Nations members, particularly youth, to train and work where they live and remain in their communities."
He added that "today, mining is the largest private-sector employer of First Nations people in Canada."
The association's CEO Laurie Sterritt said she was "thrilled with the warm welcome we have received in the Cariboo" and was far from worried that accepting Taseko's help would be off-putting to other mining companies or aboriginal people in the region.
Taseko is at the centre of a major dispute over the proposed New Prosperity Mine against the wishes of the resident First Nations group. That process is still ongoing.
On the other hand, Taseko has a positive reputation in the region for aboriginal relations pertaining to Gibraltar Mine, signing a "participation and co-operation agreement" with the Williams Lake Indian Band earlier this spring.
"You should also know that part of our role is to ensure our industry partners gain the tools they need - or sharpen tools they already have - to create a respectful and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and have the opportunity to be successful in their work," Sterritt said.
Several other mining companies - including geology explorers to environmental assessors to dig-sites to administration - have been investing heavily in aboriginal content.
"So far, we know the combined effects of our recruitment, coaching and training programs is improving B.C.'s overall economic and social prosperity," Sterritt said. "We will soon release the results of an in-depth study which highlights the economic impacts our organization has had on the provincial GDP."
