Natural Resources committee  No, we haven't received any funds from the government. The only funds we've received were through the MOU that we signed with Matamec to address our cultural socio-economic study, the Algonquin study that we did. Those are the only funds we received. The government has never accommodated us in any way in regard to this project, to support us financially, to even address research on it, or any concerns.

Natural Resources committee  Yes, for sure, because we don't have our own sources of revenue that we can use to address these situations that come to our communities.... The government could assist us financially to address the research. Going through the processes of understanding what it means is very important to any first nation in Canada.

Natural Resources committee  Sure, because when you have the financial capacity to hire the experts you need, it's going to go much faster than trying to figure it out on your own, guaranteed.

Natural Resources committee  The main concerns that our people have are the potential environmental impacts that we'll have on the water, firstly, because of where it's located, the watershed that it's affecting. We don't know what these rare earths can do to the water yet. We don't have a lot of study on that.

Natural Resources committee  What we requested in our letter to the Minister of the Environment is accepting us to be part of a joint review panel so that we can be part of the whole process of reviewing the potential impacts of this mine. This is just one example of how the government can assist first nations.

Natural Resources committee  Because our resources are so limited, we have a small technical team that was able to assist us in giving us some information. MiningWatch Canada has been a tremendous help to our first nations because we knew nothing about rare earths until this project came to our attention in our territory.

Natural Resources committee  I'm not sure where I left off, but I'll start where our concerns are. Mining has the potential to significantly affect the environment through releases of toxic substances to the air, land, and water and the creation of long-term environmental liabilities. Direct disturbance to fish and wildlife is also a significant risk, as are the displacement of other uses of the area and the disruption of uses in areas adjacent to the project and along transportation corridors due to noise, visual pollution, and dust.

Natural Resources committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of this committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. First of all, I want to make it clear that my presentation this morning is on my own behalf for my first nation and on behalf of Chief Harry St. Denis of Wolf Lake First Nation, who has consented and contributed to my presentation here today.