The Musselwhite Project is located on the traditional lands of the Windigo, Shibogama and Mishkeegogeemong First Nations.

Preserving the environment and heritage of the Musselwhite Project area is the overriding concern of the First Nations people, as well as ensuring that local residents receive economic and quality of life benefits from the mine.

These concerns led to the signing of the Musselwhite Agreement in 1992 (for further information). This accord between First Nations, Placer Dome Canada, TVX Gold, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada is a step forward in the relationship between the mining industry and the Aboriginal community. The new agreement is now between Gold Corp. Inc. and First Nations.

The Musselwhite Agreement defines how First Nations will benefit from the mine and provides a strategy to minimize any possible negative effects and establishes commitments to protect the environment.

Shibogama First Nations Council employs a full-time Musselwhite Coordinator to ensure the effective administration management and implementation of the agreement. From the agreement, there is the Musselwhite Working Committee that acts as the on-site committee and ensures that the provisions of agreement are observed. There is also the Environmental Working Committee that ensures the environmental provisions of the agreement.

Within the new agreement, this led to the creation of Mishamikiwiish Akiw Otabitamaageg(MAO) that oversees the primary function of the Musselwhite Coordinator.

The First Nations recognize that the Musselwhite Project provides opportunities for employment, training, apprenticeship positions as well as business opportunities that would provide goods and services to the Project and its employees during the life of the Project.

With that in mind Shibogama First Nations Council has formed the Kenawun Community Development Corporation and is actively involved in mine site construction projects.

Pre-employment training, life skills, site specific training and apprenticeship programs are scheduled to begin in September of 1996 to prepare First Nations to assume rewarding jobs as the mine moves into the production phase of the Project in the spring of 1997. This is now known as Common Core Training.

First Nations and Gold Corp. Inc. will continue working together through the Musselwhite Coordinating Management Committee about any aspects of the project that may affect local residents and the environment.