Canada Nickel signs Contracting Agreement with Mattagami, Matachewan, and Flying Post First Nations for Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project
Canada Nickel Company Inc. has announced the signing of an important agreement with Mattagami, Matachewan, and Flying Post First Nations, members of the Wabun Tribal Council, regarding the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project. This agreement represents a significant step forward in advancing the Crawford Project while fostering collaboration with First Nations.
The agreement sets the framework for early business and employment opportunities, while the parties continue to work towards a comprehensive Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA). The agreement includes commitments for open-book negotiations on key contracting opportunities, including the construction of a 25.2-kilometre railway line, the relocation of Highway 655, and the construction of a temporary overpass on Highway 655. These initiatives aim to foster economic development while addressing the priorities of the three First Nations. Scheduled between 2025 and 2029, these projects will prioritize First Nations businesses and promote own-source revenue, foster partnerships, and support regional growth.
"This agreement provides a genuine starting point for addressing the impacts of the Crawford Project on our lands and people. It’s a positive step towards ensuring Matachewan First Nation’s members voices are heard and our rights are respected," said Chief Alex ‘Sonny’ Batisse, Matachewan First Nation
"This agreement reflects an important recognition of our role as stewards of our Traditional Territory and speaks to Mattagami First Nation’s history of, and continued, economic success through partnerships with proponents. While more work lies ahead through our ongoing IBA negotiations, I am extremely optimistic about the opportunities that working in partnership with Canada Nickel will bring for our members,” added Chief Jennifer Constant, Mattagami First Nation
"Flying Post First Nation has a long history of protecting our lands and advocating for equitable partnerships, which is why we are pleased to be partnering with a company that has sustainability at the forefront of its operations. This agreement, and our partnership, is just the beginning of a much longer journey," said Chief Murray Ray, Flying Post First Nation
"This agreement is a milestone in the development of the Crawford Project and reflects our commitment to meaningful partnerships with First Nations and our respect for the Traditional Territories in which we are fortunate to operate. We value our on-going work with Flying Post, Mattagami, and Matachewan First Nations, and the collective advocacy efforts of Wabun Tribal Council, and we look forward to building on this foundation to deliver long-term benefits for their membership, our Project, and the region writ-large," added Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel
"This agreement demonstrates the strength of collaboration and our ability to negotiate meaningful opportunities when the rights of First Nations are respected. As recipients of the Skookum Jim Award from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) for Excellence in Indigenous Participation, we take pride in our success negotiating collective benefits for the First Nations we represent. While there is still much work to be done, it is a step in the right direction as we continue to work towards an IBA that fully respects the rights and maximizes the benefits for our members," said Jason Batise, Executive Director and Lead Negotiator for Wabun Tribal Council
The agreement also establishes mechanisms for transparency and collaboration, including regular engagement sessions and the appointment of a First Nations Business Representative to coordinate opportunities within the project. Key initiatives under the agreement include prioritized access for First Nation-owned businesses to participate in contracts and in specialized training programs to enhance local skills development. By integrating these commitments into the Crawford Project's framework, Canada Nickel aims to ensure it becomes a model for responsible resource development and meaningful First Nation partnership.
About Canada Nickel Company
Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high-growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins Cochrane mining camp.
About Wabun Tribal Council
Wabun Tribal Council serves five First Nations: Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation, Flying Post First Nation, Matachewan First Nation, Mattagami First Nation, as well as one Aboriginal Affiliate, Beaverhouse First Nation. Wabun Tribal Council is a non-profit community-driven organization that is committed to providing quality services for its member First Nations through innovative and culturally appropriate programming. Wabun receives direction from and is accountable to its Board of Directors, made up of the Chiefs of each of the member First Nations. All senior personnel report to the Executive Director, who oversees the operation of the Tribal Council. While Wabun is headquartered at Mattagami First Nation, its operational office is centrally located in Timmins, ON.
About Flying Post First Nation
Flying Post First Nation was formerly an independent member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) before joining the Wabun Tribal Council in 2007. Established northwest of Timmins, Ontario, on the east side of the Groundhog River, the Nation remains closely connected to its ancestral lands. While some community members have relocated, many continue to travel along the Groundhog River and surrounding areas to exercise their Aboriginal and treaty rights. Flying Post prioritizes education, professional development, and fostering a sustainable economy to ensure long-term prosperity for future generations.
About Mattagami First Nation
Mattagami First Nation is situated on ancestral Native lands that have long been home to the Ojibway and Oji-Cree peoples, spanning the Mattagami River and Mattagami Lake regions, and extending as far as the headwaters of Moose River on the James Bay coast. Before the arrival of European settlers, the Anishinaabe and Oji-Cree thrived on these lands, sustaining themselves through hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering. Today, many members maintain a deep connection to their ancestral territory and continue to practice these traditional ways of life.
About Matachewan First Nation
Matachewan First Nation is a northern community whose lands and resources have long supported the traditional and subsistence livelihoods of its families. Its traditional territory and treaty area include the historic mining camps of Kirkland Lake and Timmins. For much of the past century, Matachewan was on the margins of resource extraction within its territory. However, recent engagement with the mining industry has fostered significant growth within the community, leading to increased post-secondary educational achievements and the development of diverse businesses that provide long-term benefits to its members.
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