FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says when the resources are depleted out of the northern mines, it’s the local First Nations that have to live with the devastating impacts to the environment and their local economy.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief says that if the northern employees that are a part of the Cameco layoffs at McArthur River and Key Lake don’t get appropriate compensation packages, the FSIN will advocate for them if asked.
He expects they will be hearing from the employees and First Nation leaders.
About 250 Indigenous people were part of the 550 layoffs in the north.
There were also another 150 employees in total laid off at corporate headquarters in Saskatoon.
Chief Cameron says the northern trappers predicted this day would come.
He doubts big business in general cares about the repercussions when it comes to mining and other industries on First Nation land, and he hopes this situation won’t be like what happened in Uranium City where the mines closed, leading the area to economic collapse.