Despite being the largest private sector employer for First Nations in Canada, the mining sector does not enjoy the same level of support among First Nations as it does among non-aboriginal Canadians, a new survey concludes.
According to a survey commissioned by PR Associates, only 38% of First Nations surveyed across Canada have a favourable perception of mining.
That compares to favourable ratings of between 76% and 82% found among Canadians in general in a survey released by the Mining Association of Canada in February 2014.
The recent PR Associates survey found 49% of First Nations surveyed across Canada have an unfavourable view of mining; 13% expressed no views either way.
Mining in B.C. had a slightly higher than average approval rate among First Nations: 42%, compared with the national average of 38%.
Attitudes towards mining among First Nations is important, PR Associates points out, as there are roughly 1,200 aboriginal communities located within 200 kilometres of 180 active mines and more than 2,500 exploration projects.
It is especially important given a Supreme Court of Canada decision in the summer that recognized Tsilhqot’in First Nation title to a small portion of their traditional territory.
PR Associates contracted the Mustel Group to conduct a random phone survey of 500 First Nations aged 18 or older in remote and rural communities.
Generally, it found more favourable view towards mining among aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Of all the provinces, Alberta had the highest percentage of First Nations who expressed an unfavourable attitude towards mining – 59%, with 34% having a favourable view.
The survey found that First Nations under the age of 35 tended to view mining in a more positive light than those above that age.
PR Associates commissioned the study because there was a lack of baseline data on attitudes towards mining among First Nations, said Libby Sharman, the survey’s project lead.
Sharman said she hopes the survey wil help the mining sector improve on areas where it comes up short, in terms of support among First Nations.
“Based on the survey results, in B.C. in particular, the areas that they could improve on would be safety in the workplace, the positive contributions that the mining industry makes in the economy, and generally being good neighbours,” Sharman said.
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