July 24, 2019

Maritime Iron Enters Into Agreement With New Brunswick Mi’gmaq Communities Focused On Development Of Relationship, Capacity-Building, And An Indigenous Knowledge Study

Seated from Left to Right: Chief Rebecca Knockwood, Co-Chair, MTI; Chief David Peter-Paul, Pabineau First Nation; Greg McKenzie, Chairman & CEO, Maritime Iron; Chief Sacha LaBillois, Eel River Bar First Nation; Chief George Ginnish, Co-Chair, MTI.

Seated from Left to Right: Chief Rebecca Knockwood, Co-Chair, MTI; Chief David Peter-Paul, Pabineau First Nation; Greg McKenzie, Chairman & CEO, Maritime Iron; Chief Sacha LaBillois, Eel River Bar First Nation; Chief George Ginnish, Co-Chair, MTI.

 

Fredericton, NB – Maritime Iron Inc. (“Maritime Iron” or the “Company”), a privately-owned Canadian development company advancing an environmentally responsible merchant pig iron production facility in New Brunswick, Canada, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Relationship, Capacity and Indigenous Knowledge Study Agreement with the Mi’gmaq communities of Oinpegitjoig (Pabineau), Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar) (the “First Nations”) and Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc (“MTI”).

 

The purpose of the Agreement is to:

• reinforce and deepen the relationship between Maritime Iron, the First Nations and MTI;

• build capacity for community members to learn more about the Maritime Iron project;

• enable First Nations to build capacity around the environmental assessment process; and

• support the development and completion of an Indigenous Knowledge Study for the Mi’gmaq communities in the area that will inform the work of Maritime Iron.

“Maritime Iron, the First Nations and MTI have built a relationship that is anchored in mutual respect and integrity,” said Greg McKenzie, Chairman and CEO of Maritime Iron. “We continue to build a trust-based relationship through ongoing dialogue and information sharing.”

The agreement reflects the commitment all parties have demonstrated to establishing an inclusive and collaborative approach. To commemorate the efforts of all parties towards the achievement of this agreement, the signatories participated in a signing ceremony on July 22, 2019 in Fredericton.

“The purpose of this agreement is to allow our communities to actively participate in the environmental assessment process and determine if there are potential effects to our lands and waterways. This is a significant agreement,” said Chief David Peter-Paul of Pabineau First Nation. “Through understanding, good will, and cooperation on all sides, we are confident that we have the capacity to meet the needs and interests of all the parties. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with Maritime Iron.”

About Maritime Iron Inc.

Maritime Iron Inc. is a privately-owned Canadian development company advancing an environmentally responsible merchant pig iron production facility in Belledune, New Brunswick, Canada. Maritime Iron’s project will produce approximately 1.5 million tonnes annually, of high-quality pig iron for sale to steel mills and foundries in North America and Europe. The project will integrate with the local power generating station, significantly lowering the environmental footprint of both facilities when in full production.

About Mi’gmawe’t Tplu’taqnn Inc. (MTI)

Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Incorporated (MTI) is a not for profit organization whose members are the nine Mi’gmaq communities in New Brunswick. Its objectives include promoting and supporting the recognition, affirmation, exercise, and implementation of the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights; the right of self-determination; political, cultural, economic, educational and social development; justice and equity; wider respect and understanding; and general awareness of its member communities and their Mi’gmag laws, rights, values, traditions, customs and practices. It represents eight of its member communities in negotiations under the Mi’gmaq/Canada/New Brunswick Framework Agreement.

 

FOR INQUIRES CONTACT:
JENNIFER COLEMAN, DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND OPERATIONS
MI’GMAWE’L TPLU’TAQNN
(506) 455 1881
JENNIFER@MIGMAWEL.ORG