Strateco Uranium Project: Mistissini demands a pause and thinks of a moratorium

MISTISSINI, Eeyou Istchee, Feb. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - The Chief of the Cree Nation of Mistissini, Richard Shecapio, urges the Federal government to pause Strateco's licensing process for the advanced exploration of uranium in the Otish Mountains, on Cree Territory. "We need to see real and concrete actions on the part of Strateco, in regard to information and consultation with the community. To this date, we are not satisfied with the way in which Strateco has been dealing with the issue of information sharing and consultation with the members of Mistissini. If nothing changes, we will reiterate our demand for a moratorium of advanced uranium exploration on our traditional territory", explains Chief Shecapio.

On December 23rd, the Council of the Cree Nation of Mistissini and Strateco Resources Inc. have signed a "Communication and Information Agreement" (CIA), a framework agreement to assure better information and consultation with the community. This CIA reflects the Cree Community of Mistissini's intention to receive additional information concerning the Matoush Project. "This agreement cannot be interpreted as the Cree Nation of Mistissini's support of Strateco's Project. Our position has not changed in this regard", says Chief Shecapio.

In a letter sent to the Federal Administrator of the Environmental and social protection regime of the James-Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), Chief Shecapio requests the « processes to remain paused until the Cree Nation of Mistissini indicates its satisfaction with the meaningful implementation of the communication and information agreement ». This pause would allow intensive communication and consultation activities for a period of six months. "Only (…) at the end of the six-month period can the Cree Nation of Mistissini's leadership determine the Community's satisfaction with the Agreement (CIA), implementation and the overall degree of social acceptability of this project", writes Richard Shecapio to the Federal Administrator.

"Going forward, we hope this agreement improves the quality of useful and relevant information reaching the members of the Cree nation of Mistissini, to make an informed decisions and to measure the social acceptability of Strateco's project"

Eric Cardinal
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Cell. : 514-258-2315
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