The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has released a Reconciliation Policy as it continues to consult with five Ontario communities, including Ignace, on developing an underground repository.
Under the policy, the organization commits to respectful and meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples and communities as well as annually publishing a Reconciliation plan.
Manager of Indigenous Engagement Sean Ross says they will be providing cultural awareness and reconciliation training to all staff and contractors.
Ross stresses their employees need the proper tools in order to measure the organizations commitments to Indigenous peoples in the years moving forward.
He talks about why it’s so important to work with First Nations.
“They will be partners in this project, wherever we land. We have been having an on-going dialogue and developing policies and providing our staff with the appropriate education and tools to put those policies in place.”
Ross notes they have been working closely with First Nations since 2002.
