| In
the Canadian North, and particularly in the Arctic, the majority
of inhabitants are part of aboriginal communities. With the exception
of Greenland, Canada has the highest proportion of aboriginal populations
in the circumpolar world. This proportion generally corresponds
to more than 50% of the regional population; however, in certain
communities this proportion may reach over 90%. The locations of
the aboriginal communities populating the Canadian North are presented
in Figure 2.
Biogenie
has had the privilege of working closely with several aboriginal
communities in Canada. These communities are listed below:
| Aboriginal
Community |
Location |
| Attikamek
(Southwest of James Bay) |
Weymontachie |
| Cree
(East of James Bay) |
Wemindji,
Eastmain |
| Inuit
(Nunavik) |
Salluit,
Kangiqsualujjuaq, Inukjuak, Kuujjuaq |
| Innu
(Northern Quebec) |
Schefferville |
| Inuvialuit
(Northwest Territories) |
Tuktoyaktuk,
Sachs Harbour, Inuvik |
| Cree
(West of James Bay) |
Fort
Albany |
| Sahtu
Dene (Northwest Territories) |
Tulita,
Deline |
| Inuit
(Labrador) |
Saglek |
| Gwich’in
(Northwest Territories) |
Aklavik,
Fort McPherson |
| Tli
Cho |
Gameti |
The success
of Biogenie’s remediation projects in northern regions has
been closely linked with the active participation of local communities.
Biogenie encourages the establishment of long-term partnerships
with aboriginal communities based on the following fundamental values
and principles:
- Mutual confidence and respect: these attributes develop over time
through the establishment of close relations and communications with
the community and through an awareness of local culture, beliefs
and concerns.
- Honesty: by sharing information and encouraging mutual understanding
regarding important issues during all stages of a project.
- Partnership: by involving the communities (Band
Councils, seniors, local representatives) in the decision-making
process, from project design to its implementation phase.
- Transfer of knowledge: by creating a climate conducive to the
sharing of knowledge.
- Maximization of local economic benefits: by promoting job creation
for the benefit of local populations and by making use of, to the
greatest extent possible, local available resources.
 Biogenie
looks forward to developing new partnerships with local communities
in order to jointly overcome the unique challenges resulting from
the historical pollution on aboriginal land.
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