Hecla has long appreciated the importance of open and respectful dialogue and engagement with local Indigenous Peoples around our operations.
In 2021, we maintained an average of 25 active workers from the Abitibiwinni First Nation on the Casa Berardi site, with a peak of 44 workers at one time employed on projects related to tailings management, the plant, the pit, and geology. We encourage our suppliers to hire from this community and also invite First Nations contractors to bid on projects at Casa Berardi. In 2021, one five-year contract was awarded to Construction Kiwetin for maintenance and transportation services. In addition, a contract for clearing land for exploration drilling was given to Cooperative de solidarite de Pikogan.
Hecla Quebec and the Gitanyow Band in upper British Columbia have in place an exploration agreement that addresses mutual benefits of future exploration activity, including employment, contracting, environment and permitting, and additional considerations.
Hecla Quebec and the Council of the Abitibiwinni First Nation signed a Cooperation Agreement in 2020 for the exploration, development, and operation of the Casa Berardi Mine projects.
At our Troy Mine in Montana, Hecla partners with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CKST) of the Flathead Indian Nation Council on reforestation projects, as part of the Troy Mine Reclamation Project. The CSKT Forestry Greenhouse harvested native seeds from the reclamation area and from that native stock has provided over 200,000 plants for repopulating the recovered area and providing a landscape of natural wildlife habitat for future generations.
Much of our Hollister Mine in Nevada is within the Tosawihi Quarries Archaeological District, which is significant for its role as an important source of tool stone in Northern Nevada prehistory and as a place of traditional cultural importance to the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone. As part of our operational agreement, an archaeologist and tribal monitor from the Western Shoshone tribe must be present for all ground-disturbing and pre-construction work conducted. All employees and contractors who work at the Hollister Mine must receive cultural resource training. The training includes discussion on the significance of the quarry, the laws associated with cultural resources, and the company’s zero tolerance policy regarding infractions.
At our Keno Hill operation, we have a Comprehensive Cooperation and Benefits agreement with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun (NND). This agreement provides for a cooperative engagement process for our environmental management plans as well as training and employment for NND citizens, and access to business contracting opportunities for NND businesses, including the Na-Cho Nyak Dun Development Corporation.
At Casa Berardi, we achieved a Level A rating for the Indigenous and Community Relations Protocol of the TSM framework.
The Hecla Charitable Foundation partnered with the Angoon Youth Conservation Corps for the sixth year in a row. This program provides opportunities for the Alaska Native youth to earn wages and gain employment proficiency and skills while performing conservation and restoration work across Admiralty Island National Monument, in the Kootznoowoo Wilderness, and in the village of Angoon.
Photo: Josh Orem, AYCC Youth Leader
Our employees and Hecla give back to communities in a variety of ways such as volunteerism and local donations.
