A group of Inuit hunters have faced nearly a week of freezing temperatures to block a remote iron mine in northern Canada in protest of an expansion plan that is said to affect local wildlife.
The blockade, which has sparked solidarity rallies in other communities in Nunavut, has also exposed growing tensions between large Inuit organizations with the power to approve development permits – and residents of small communities where the impact of such projects is felt.
As of Feb. 5, seven hunters have set up an makeshift barrier of snowmobiles and sledges to block the runway and service road of the Mary River Ore Mine, halting operations. Temperatures in recent days have dropped to -30sC.
Controversial plans by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation to double production are under discussion. To bring 12 million tonnes of iron ore to market, the mine said it had to build a railway to a port near the Pond Inlet community.
But hunters have retreated in the face of fears that the expansion could threaten caribou and narwhal populations – two key food sources – if approved.
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“Baffinland makes money and we are given very little money and we know that money will not bring wildlife back,” Tom Naqitarvik said in an Inuktitut video posted on Facebook, CBC News reported.
As the stoppage enters its fifth day, 700 workers are stranded at Mary River and, according to the company, the blockade on the runway means food cannot be delivered.
“Baffinland staff had numerous meetings with organizers, both at the blockades and at Pond Inlet, begging protesters to move off the runway and allow runway maintenance and flights to resume,” the company said in a statement. “So far, these discussions have not made any progress.”
Baffinland says the expansion of the mine is essential for its operations in the region to remain profitable. He tried to allay concerns about the project, saying he was confident that wildlife would not be affected by the increase in ore shipments.
Under the 1993 Nunavut Agreement, which established a number of key Inuit rights to their land, Baffinland is required to negotiate a benefit agreement with Inuit groups representing the inhabitants of the territory.
But the protest also drew attention to long-standing tensions between remote Inuit communities and those organizations that some residents say have lost touch with the challenges of living in remote communities.
After years of ignored sentiments ignored by decision-makers in the Iqaluit territorial capital, northern communities are looking to form their own legally recognized association, said Clyde River Mayor Jerry Natanine. This new group would have the power to negotiate royalty payments and have a greater say in projects that could affect their communities, he said.
“The decision comes from years of disappointment from Inuit organizations that do not look on our behalf,” he said. “We dreamed of being able to create something that would help us benefit from the development that is happening and the leadership of our own government.”
Many of the groups opposed to the project do not oppose all the mines in the region. “My brother and cousins work for me. I don’t want them to lose their jobs “, said Natanine. “But the mine does not take our ideas into account. I told them to change the location of the railway and we will accept it. I told them, “Take this route instead.” But they just kicked us out. ”
Despite requests from the blockade for a new fee structure, Baffinland said he had no legal authority to negotiate with community groups.
Residents of the Clyde River plan to bring supplies to the Mary River protesters in the coming days, a trip that could take three days on a snowmobile and require travelers to cheer on mountain valleys and dangerous sections of ice.
“At the end of the day, the expansion project was imposed on us. Even so, I told the mine clearly and repeatedly that their plans were unacceptable. And they did not listen to any of our suggestions “, said Natinine. “So now we are fighting for our culture and way of life.”