Overview
The North Shore Micmac District Council Inc. (NSMDC) is a not-for-profit First Nations Tribal Council with a head office located in Natoaganeg (Eel Ground), New Brunswick. NSMDC was formed in 1987 to serve the communities of Eel Ground, Eel River Bar, Metepenagiag, Pabineau, Fort Folly, Indian Island and Buctouche First Nations. Since inception, NSMDC has delivered services and programs related to:
- Technical Services (Housing and Infrastructure);
- Water and wastewater operation & training (Circuit Rider Training Program);
- Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Oceans Management (AAROM);
- Post Secondary Education;
- Training, Employment and Skills Development;
- Emergency planning and preparedness;
- Financial Advisory Services;
- Child & Family Services;
- Community Development Advisory Support;
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge; and
- First Nations Engagement.
In addition to the advisory and technical support services offered to its seven (7) member First Nation communities, the NSMDC also delivers contracted professional services to over twenty-five (25) additional First Nation communities across Atlantic Canada.
The NSMDC is overseen by a Board of Directors, which consist of the Chiefs of the seven First Nation communities that the NSMDC represents. The Board of Directors elects one board member as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to serve as the board’s voice.
The NSMDC is comprised of a dedicated team professionals ranging from engineers and technicians, to aquatic biologists and species at risk specialists, to nurses and occupational therapists, to financial and First Nations governance coordinators: the cross section of our team composition and our centralized head office location in Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation has allowed our organization to evolve into the role of serving as a technical expertise hub for all Atlantic First Nation Communities. We are recognized and respected in this capacity throughout Atlantic Canada.
As advocates and champions for the betterment of lives for First Nations people in New Brunswick and throughout Atlantic Canada, the NSMDC recognizes the opportunity that Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development will bring to New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada and Canada as a whole. We support NB Power taking the lead on Stream 2 - Development and Deployment of Generation-IV SMRs in New Brunswick, one of three parallel streams advancing SMR technology development/deployment nationally.
Working with the sixteen (16) New Brunswick First Nation communities, the NSMDC has assembled an Energy Team that has been tasked with being actively involved in supporting development of New Brunswick as a centre-of-excellence for commercialization of Generation-IV SMR technologies. Our goal is to:
- Position New Brunswick First Nation communities for equity stakeholder opportunities associated with development of the Gen-IV SMR technologies being considered for the New Brunswick market;
- Engage the current and future First Nation labour force in New Brunswick and promote opportunities directly and in-directly associated with advancement of the SMR technology development and deployment;
- Work with industry partners to create local, long-lasting employment opportunities for New Brunswick First Nations within the evolving nuclear sector;
- Support the expansion of the nuclear supply chain within New Brunswick, including direct opportunities for existing and yet-to-be-established First Nation businesses; and
- Publicly promote the positive role that SMRs can play in helping New Brunswick/Canada achieve the target of Net-Zero Emissions by 2050, in conjunction with renewables such as wind and solar, while reducing the nuclear legacy ecological footprint of current inventories of used CANDU fuel.
As we grow our team and expand our community engagement, we will continue to work with and support initiatives led by industry partners including Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Moltex Energy Canada, ARC Nuclear Canada Inc., NB Power, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI).
ACTIONS
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT; POLICY, LEGISLATION AND REGULATION; CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Work with Industry Partners to Create Equity Stakeholder Opportunities for New Brunswick First Nation Communities
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 1, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 38, 41, 43, 46
ACTION
The NSMDC will advocate, engage and work with industry partners to ensure that New Brunswick First Nation communities are provided an opportunity to invest and economically benefit from the SMR technologies being developed for deployment in New Brunswick.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Connect New Brunswick First Nation Communities with Federal/Provincial partners and SMR vendors
- Develop framework to allow for equity stakeholder opportunities for New Brunswick First Nations in development of the SMR technologies being considered for deployment in New Brunswick.
- Ensure investment in SMR technology development generates economic benefits for New Brunswick First Nation communities
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT; POLICY, LEGISLATION AND REGULATION; CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Work with Industry Partners to Create Education and Employment Opportunities for New Brunswick First Nation Community Members
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 1, 10, 13, 19, 20, 29, 34, 37, 39, 41, 43
ACTION
The NSDMC will advocate, engage and work with industry partners to ensure meaningful and long-term employment opportunities are secured for New Brunswick First Nation community members.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Work with industry partners to create employment opportunities for qualified First Nation members
- Engage First Nation leadership, community members and specifically youth to promote present and future employment opportunities
- Work with industry partners to create and promote educational opportunities specifically for First Nations students.
- Engage Atlantic research institutes leading SMR development programs to increase potential for New Brunswick First Nation participation in educational, commercial, employment, and environmental opportunities.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT; POLICY, LEGISLATION AND REGULATION; CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Lead Initiatives to Increase Awareness within First Nation Communities on the Economic, Environmental and Clean Energy Benefits of SMR Technologies
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 9, 10, 12, 18, 19, 21, 24, 31, 33, 30, 43, 48, 49, 50, 53
ACTION
Publicly promote the role that SMRs can play in helping New Brunswick/Canada achieve the target of Net-Zero Emissions by 2050, in conjunction with renewables such as wind and solar, while reducing the nuclear legacy ecological footprint of current inventories of used CANDU fuel.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Engage First Nation communities and support the delivery of education and awareness forums/workshops.
- Develop public awareness and education programming specifically targeted for First Nations youth.
- Promote an increase in public confidence and support for development and deployment of SMR technologies in New Brunswick.