Nunavut Inuit group announces uranium mining policy

Nunavut's Inuit organization says its uranium policy, announced on Tuesday, lays out the terms under which it willsupport uranium mining in the territory, while making sure such development benefits Inuit.

Executive members of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. voted unanimously to approve the new policy at a meeting in Arivat last week. It lays out NTI's position on uranium development, as interest in such development has been growing in recent years.

NTIis the organization responsible for enforcing the Inuit land claim that resulted in the creation of Nunavut.

"It's a policy that will guide us, how we're going to tackle the uranium issue in the Nunavut area," NTI first vice-president James Eetoolook told CBC News on Tuesday.

Eetoolook said the policy ensures that NTI will not support proposed uranium mining projects "if it will damage the environment, the health of Inuit and the wildlife."

The 20 policy statements also call for "responsible and peaceful uses" for nuclear energy and exploration, as well as projects that promote Inuit participation in the regulatory and operation processes.

The mining industry has been eyeing large uranium deposits nearthe communities of Baker Lake and Kugluktuk.

That growing interest scares Baker Lake resident Joan Scottie, who said she wishes NTI had consulted the community more before approving its policy.

Speaking in Inuktitut, Scottie told CBC News that the possibility that several uranium mines could open in the near future is a "scary thought," and Inuit need to be made more aware of what's happening with this very serious issue.

Eetoolook said because uranium is a very hazardous material, NTI felt it was necessary to create a policy regulating the industry in Nunavut.

"We will only support [it] if people mining it will be using it only for peaceful purposes or like energy power and so forth and if it only will benefit Inuit," he said. "If not, we're not going to support any uranium mine."

While new technology and better regulation have increased the potential for uranium mining to benefit Inuit, it remains a touchy issue because of past concerns over health and environmental impact, Eetoolook said.