Sustainability Examples

Links with
First Nations

Issues: Natural Resource Management, Community Development
Stakeholders: NGOs, Government, Communities
Region: North America

In Canada, Alcan has developed strong cooperation with aboriginal people in the areas where it has operations. For instance, in 2003, the Company signed a framework agreement with the Conseil des Montagnais du Lac-Saint-Jean in Quebec with a view to ensuring the sustainability of their partnership. The agreement embodies such principles as mutual understanding, harmonious cohabitation in the territory, keeping channels of communications open and finding common economic projects.

In British Columbia, where Alcan operates a smelter and a hydropower generation facility, the Company owns a vast area of forested land that has been attacked by an epidemic of beetles that will eventually kill the trees. The beetle attack could lead to the loss of the value of the timber resource and negatively affect current recreation opportunities for local residents as well as creating a significant fire hazard due to the decayed and dying trees.

In response, in early 2004 Alcan approached three First Nations of the concerned area with a responsible stewardship plan. The goal is to develop a forest management approach tailored to the needs and desires of all parties and to address the environmental, economic and social aspects of this challenge. In North-Central BC, Alcan has developed other initiatives to enhance its operations while respecting First Nations interests. Among them is the development in 2002-2003 of a program to schedule the maintenance and power production at the Kemano Powerhouse in order to minimize the impact on the Eulchon Fishery in the Kemano River and to protect traditional fishing activities.

Alcan, along with two educational organizations, also developed a training/transfer opportunity for the local Haisla First Nation. The aim is to increase the Haisla's understanding of the environmental impacts associated with the creation of the Nechako Reservoir in 1950. The Company also initiated an Environmental Intern Program for the Haisla First Nation in early 2004.