SWAN Village-to-Village Messaging System: Crooked Creek and Calista Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Crooked Creek and Calista Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Posted by Possibilities on 11/24/2008, 5:09 pm, in reply to "This One Is Too Sweet To Be Ignored"
65.74.12.161

The crooked Creek Tribe and Calista met on Oct. 21, 2008 to address their mutual economic and environmental concerns regarding the Donlin Creek Project.
The meeting laid the foundation for open communication between the two organizations, and will support a framework of cooperation and support between them.
A Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Calista President Matthew Nicolai and Chairman Arthur Heckman Sr., as well as Crooked Creek Tribe Chair Evelyn Thomas and Vice-Chair Minnie John, is an agreement between the two groups to take a unified stance on key issues surrounding the Donlin Project.

These issues include:
Business Development - Calista and Crooked Creek plan on developing business opportunities associated with Donlin, along with other village corporations. (Who are the other villages?)
Subsistence- The two groups agree that Shareholders' ability to maintain a subsistance lifestyle is crucial to the economic, social and cultural well being of the entire Region. This will be taken into consideration during any ventures the two might enter as a result of the Donlin Creek development.
Remediation- Both parties support the responsible development of the land around the project as well as remediation of the site after the mine is closed.
Environmental Responsibility - The Crooked Creek Tribe and Calista will work together closely to ensure that the Donlin Project does not harm the environment or waters in the area. If either party learns of any abuse, from Donlin or any of its operators, they will immediately notify each other and take action.
Both parties acknowledge there may be issues on which they disagree in the future. An important outcome of the meeting was the realization that the Region, and all Calista Sharholders, will see a greater benfit if the groups work together to maximize the potential benfits of resource development while protecting our vital subsistence resources for the future.