Gender, indigeneity and mining

Abstract

The mining industry has been found to provide economic opportunities for local Indigenous communities, but these benefits are not always distributed equally. For instance, there is evidence of gendered socio-economic impacts of mining within traditional lands or treaty territories of Indigenous communities that have resulted in instances of violence against women. In Canada, the 2019 National Inquiry report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) revealed the linkages between mining and extractive activities with spikes in violence against Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. The report includes five recommendations that are related to extractive and development activities to address the rights and safety of Indigenous women in mining territories. In this chapter, authors build upon the premise that mining companies have a responsibility to uphold Indigenous women’s needs and wants through meaningful engagement that is consistent with the 2019 National Inquiry report. They emphasize that there are well-documented advantages to involving Indigenous women as significant rights-holders in projects. This chapter first examines the literature regarding Indigenous women’s experiences with extractive mining projects in resource-based communities in Canada. The authors identify the context of gender and mining, including violence against Indigenous women. Second, they determine the extent and significance of Indigenous women’s involvement in the mining sector. Third, this chapter explores opportunities and strategies that affect the wants and needs of Indigenous women that aim to counter racism, sexism, and misogynistic patterns observed within the mining sector. Last, highlighted is the relevance of these findings for a range of actors involved in policy, practices, planning, and corporate behaviours. Overall, this chapter finds that Indigenous women are essential actors at the nexus of mining companies and local communities. The authors believe that acknowledging this role can improve Indigenous women’s realities and agency while contributing to the equitable development of mining economies in Indigenous communities.