Grade 12 student Landon Moise, from Clearwater River Dene School in a remote area of Saskatchewan, could potentially work at a new uranium mine being constructed nearby. The school is adjusting its curriculum to equip students for upcoming economic and environmental shifts. Moise highlighted the importance of learning to safeguard the environment and navigate interactions with major corporations operating in their vicinity.
NexGen Energy is building the Rook 1 mine on the traditional lands of the Dene, Cree, and Métis peoples. This $2.2 billion project is anticipated to create around 500 full-time positions and position Canada as the world’s top uranium exporter. Teachers at Clearwater River Dene School are incorporating practical skills and financial literacy into their teachings to better prepare students for employment opportunities in the mining sector.
For instance, Brien Morgan, the school’s practical and applied arts teacher, engaged students in crafting wooden core sampling boxes, essential for collecting and analyzing ore samples during mining exploration. By selling these boxes to local mines, students gained hands-on experience and a sense of readiness for post-graduation employment. The school also organized a tree-planting initiative at the mine site, fostering environmental awareness among students.
Teacher Paul Haynes initiated land-based learning programs to reconnect students with the environment and traditional teaching methods. While acknowledging the economic prospects for students post-graduation, Haynes also expressed concerns about the impact of mining activities on local ecosystems and food sources. He emphasized the importance of educating students about the environmental implications of mining projects.
NexGen assures that strict environmental protocols are followed daily, focusing on wildlife, air quality, and water conservation. The company has established benefit agreements with local Indigenous communities, allowing them to review environmental data and engage their own consultants. NexGen CEO Leigh Curyer emphasized the company’s commitment to environmentally sensitive operations, including innovative tailings management techniques to minimize environmental impact.
Curyer highlighted their proactive approach to environmental stewardship, including the design of underground tailings chambers to mitigate environmental consequences. This pioneering approach has been lauded by regulatory bodies for its environmental benefits, and Curyer expressed confidence in the project’s ability to safeguard traditional lands throughout its operational lifespan.
