For significant, ongoing contribution to the advancement of Indigenous reconciliation in the mining sector
Origins & Conditions
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In 2021 the CIM Awards committee identified a need for an award to recognize excellence in the field of Indigenous collaboration and economic development in natural resources extraction. They approached the CIM DIAC committee to support the development of the criteria for this award.
The CIM Indigenous Partnership Award celebrates people working together to deliver an Initiative, Program or Agreement that demonstrates significant, ongoing contribution to the advancement of Indigenous reconciliation in the mining sector. This award serves to honour exceptional, sustainable collaborations with and within Indigenous communities.
This award shall be made jointly to an Indigenous community / business and a resources company for an Initiative, Program, or Agreement in the mining industry that meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Innovative approaches to meaningful consultation and building respectful relationships between the mining industry and Indigenous communities.
- Self-sustaining investment, or economic partnerships that enhance the economic, social, cultural, educational or health aspects of an Indigenous community.
- Demonstrated collaboration between a mining company, Indigenous community, and government with a commitment to working towards obtaining free, prior and informed consent for economic development projects involving Indigenous Peoples and their lands.
- Established education, mentorship, or training opportunities to attract and sustain Indigenous employment in the mining industry.
- Procurement programs that support the growth of Indigenous led entrepreneurship and business development participation in the mining supply-chain.
- Unique methods to accelerate returning land use, reclamation, or local climate resilience and to create opportunities for intergenerational knowledge transfer and land-based education.
Nomination Process
The award may be presented from time to time as nominations warrant, but normally, not more than one award may be made in any given calendar year. Nominators and nominees do not have to be CIM National Members.
Nominations will include the following:
- A brief written summary of the nominated Initiative, Program or Agreement and how it meets the criteria of the award.
- List of companies’, communities’ and individuals’ names involved in the nominated Initiative, Program or Agreement.
- Two additional accounts of support. These can be written, or video/verbal recordings. One of the accounts of support is required to be from an Indigenous community or Indigenous business, unless the nomination is by an Indigenous community or business.
- One appendix of publicly available information that provides evidence of claims made in the nomination and support accounts (e.g. community newsletter, corporate sustainability reports, press releases).
Evaluation Criteria
Nominations are recommended to evaluated based on the following:
- Confirmation that the impacted Indigenous community supports the nomination.
- Evidence of collaboration in the development of the initiative/ program (rather than consultation).
- Demonstration of the commitment to long-term sustainment of the initiative/program.
- Transferability of the initiative/program – potential for reproduction/ implementation in multiple locations.
- Scalability of the initiative/program – potential for expansion to the national or international scale.
Additional Recommendations
An additional suggestion that came out of the development of this award is to engage with the CIM Foundation regarding the potential to support the nomination process for this award. Several of this award’s criteria are related to the purpose of the CIM Foundation including improvement the contributionof the mineral industry to the progress and well being of Canada, and support for initiatives that build awareness of the industry’s dedication to the environment and innovation. The CIM Foundation may be an option for financial support for a community interested in pursuing a nomination for this award, but without adequate resources.
