A cheque presentation was made Friday at James Smith Cree Nation. From left to right: SGFSA Board member Wade Sandoff, JSCN Youth Coordinator Dinah Marion, and SGSA Chair David Wright (Submitted photo/ Dinah Marion)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

James Smith youth receive healthy donation

May 12, 2021 | 12:00 PM

A cheque presentation made last Friday outside the band office at James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN), represents the last big act for a group of shareholders once connected to a diamond mine venture in east-central Saskatchewan.

Just over $2,300 was donated to the community by the Shore Gold Shareholders Association (SGFSA). The money is being used by the Community Youth Hall for a special summer initiative. Youth Coordinator Dinah Marion explained youth will have the chance to get out of their homes and work for the Elders, volunteer for community activities, and by putting their time into community involvement, have a chance to win bikes.

“This donation means so much for the youth In the community as many are spending time indoors [due to COVID] and gaming and not getting the exercise they need,” she said.

David Wright, former chair of the Shore Gold Shareholder’s Association, explained that in 2019, when Rio Tinto became the majority shareholder in the diamond venture at Fort à la Corne, there was no longer a need for their group. But the challenge faced by the executive was what the non-profit corporation should do with the remaining $2,300 they had in the bank, and how to do it a way that was fair to the roughly 300 members spread across the world.

“James Smith is our neighbour and so we thought what if there was a program on the reserve for youth,” he said.

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The group contacted JSCN Chief Wally Burns, who after speaking to Marion, returned with the proposal for the bikes.

The Shore Gold Shareholder’s Association represented a dissident group of shareholders, dissatisfied with the communication they were getting from Shore Gold, and at one point was almost successful in having the CEO removed from the board, arguing he should not be allowed to hold both positions.

“That never really rode with us very well. We didn’t believe that was arm’s length,” Wright said.

Following Friday’s cheque presentation, the group has officially disbanded.

Ongoing legal issues

The Project Falcon venture, if it leads to an operating mine, has the potential for 700 full time jobs over many decades.

Star Diamond Corporation is taking Rio Tinto Exploration Canada to court over what it claims is a breach of their agreement, excessive costs and a failure by the mining giant to share information. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto said it will be strongly defending the legal proceedings. A hearing has been scheduled to take place next month at Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell