**CITY OF TIMMINS NEWS RELEASE**

Goldcorp-Porcupine Gold Mines announced today that they will be matching the City of Timmins’ contribution of $50,000 to go towards initiatives stemming from the integration of an Indigenous Advisory Committee to Council.

“When we heard of the initiative, we jumped in to support it,” said Goldcorp Sustainability Manager Bryan Neeley. “The contribution will improve the committee’s ability to execute on different initiatives. Our relationship with our Indigenous Partners is a core belief of the company and treating all people with respect regardless of their diversity, is important in the workplace as well as in the community.”

Action items that will benefit from the total $100,000 investment will be centered on improving relations, inclusiveness, safety, and cultural sensitivity toward the Indigenous population in our community. Applications for the committee closed on August 10, and selections have been made. The item will go to Council in the near future for nomination and formal appointment of committee members. In the meantime, several steps have been taken to ensure a more inclusive and culturally sensitive community.

“To date, we have hosted a leadership forum involving Indigenous leaders from across the city and region to discuss the issues and action items,” said Mayor Steve Black. “We took part in supporting National Indigenous Peoples’ Day and expanding it into a four-day event that included educational and cultural activities as well as kids’ activities. As part of this, and in partnership with the Ontario Human Rights Council, we hosted training on human rights and cultural sensitivity with community stakeholders, as well as an additional leadership forum. On National Indigenous People’s Day we proudly added three new flags to City Hall, from Mattagami First Nation, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and Metis Nation of Ontario, which was followed by a unity walk.”

Going forward, in addition to the creation of the committee, the City of Timmins will continue the political leadership forum meetings to keep the regional and community leaders informed and up-to-date.

The City of Timmins continues to recognize Goldcorp as an extremely valuable corporate citizen and is grateful to have formed such strong partnerships in growing and improving our community.

 

Background:

The City of Timmins Indigenous Advisory Committee will work to create a respectful process of truth, healing and reconciliation within the City of Timmins. In doing so, it will create an inclusive environment for the Indigenous peoples living in and visiting the City of Timmins.

The Committee will aim to provide a forum for consultation between Indigenous peoples and the local business and service community within the City of Timmins. This forum will work to facilitate a process of reconciliation within the City of Timmins.

The Committee will be comprised of six Indigenous representatives, two representatives from the business community, two members from the community at large, as well as the Chief Administration Officer and City Clerk from the City of Timmins. Council will appoint one member to participate, and the Mayor will serve as an ex-officio member.