Sisson mine and other ‘nation building projects’ require Indigenous consent: Wolastoq Grand Council

The mining company Northcliff Resources says it has secured $20 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Defence to develop the controversial Sisson tungsten and molybdenum mine in the Nashwaak watershed, according to the Telegraph-Journal.

Ottawa has also pledged $8.2 million in funding if certain requirements are met. Premier Susan Holt reportedly plans to meet with the company.

Last week, the Premier sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, saying that “barriers must be removed” to allow for the development of minerals including tungsten and molybdenum in New Brunswick.

That letter omitted any mention of Indigenous people.

And last month, Holt courted the business community with a speech at the Canadian Club Toronto: “I want you to think about New Brunswick as your ATM,” she said, explaining that it stands for “access to minerals,” “access to markets,” “access to [human] materials,” “access to Ministers,” and “access to me.”

On Monday, Wolastoq Grand Chief Ron Tremblay — also known as Spasaqit Possesom or morningstar burning — wrote this letter in response to those developments, addressed to Carney.