Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Sagamok Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation Partner in Historic, Collaborative Agreement with Successful Canadian Mining Contractor

Sudbury, Ontario, Canada March 10th, 2023 – traditional lands of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Sagamok Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Sagamok Anishnawbek, and Wahnapitae First Nation & Technica Mining are proud to announce that they have entered a partnership under a new business entity called Aki-eh Dibinwewziwin which means “to be owned by the earth”. The name of the company was intentionally generated by Anishinaabe Language holders from each of the respective communities and holds significant meaning as this partnership has been created intentionally over the past year in a respectful and reciprocal way.

Over the past 20 years, Technica has been setting the new standard in world-class workforce safety and project excellence in underground and open pit development, construction, maintenance, and operation. Through this partnership, Aki-eh Dibinwewziwin will now provide world-class mine contracting services for their partners and meaningfully participate in the economic benefits in their territorial lands within the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory.

“Atikameksheng Anishnawbek recognizes this partnership as a major step forward for our Debendaagziwaad on the path to true sovereignty and independence. The Co-operative we establish now will benefit our people for generations to come by creating high-value careers and lucrative business opportunities for our community. As most of the mining activity in Sudbury takes place on our asserted lands, it is important that Atikameksheng Anishnawbek accepts

nothing less than true partnership and I am delighted to say that this agreement is one of mutual respect and honesty.” - Gimaa Craig Nootchtai of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

“Sagamok Anishnawbek has always had stewardship responsibilities to the lands and resources inhabited and used by our ancestors. The same lands and resources were always intended to sustain our people for all their economic, cultural, spiritual, and healthcare needs. Unfortunately, the sharing principle regarding lands and resources has not always been embraced by our treaty partners, their settlers, and resource development companies. In more recent times, we are pleased to have experienced more positive relationships regarding the Sudbury mining sector, and we believe that the new relationship with Technica Mining, along with our Atikameksheng and Wahnapitae brothers and sisters, is another step forward in reflecting the principle of sharing.” - Gimaa Angus Toulouse, Sagamok Anishinaabek

“Wahnapitae First Nation greatly appreciates the opportunity to be included in this important endeavour and for all the incredible collaboration that has been required to get to this juncture. This represents a unique moment to build something that is of benefit to our members now and for future generations and we sincerely look forward to the strong foundations we are creating as part of this work. By building strong relationships with our brothers and sisters on Turtle Island, and within Atikameksheng and Sagamok, we can truly look to a brighter horizon, together.” – Chief Larry Roque of Wahnapitae First Nation

“We are humbled to have earned the trust and respect of Atikameksheng Anishinabek, Sagamok Anishinabek and Wahnapitae First Nation. For far too long First Nations in the Sudbury Basin have not properly benefited from our shared resources - while we cannot right our past, it is our responsibility to create a new future.” - Mario Grossi, President and C.E.O. of Technica Mining.

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Click Here for the press release‍

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