Australia and Canada

Abstract

Abstract This chapter analyses recent relations between Indigenous peoples and the mining industry in Australia and Canada. Both countries are now characterized by an almost universal adoption of negotiated agreements as the primary mechanism for governing these relations. What shapes the content of these agreements in terms of permitting Indigenous peoples to share in the benefits of mining, and in allowing them to influence its impact on their traditional territories? And what effect do agreements, and the presence of mining activities more generally, have on the well-being of Indigenous communities in mining regions? A key finding is that there is wide diversity in the content of agreements and in outcomes from mining, with significant implications for Indigenous livelihoods and well-being. The wide range of outcomes evident in Australia and Canada affords a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the factors shaping the impacts of mining on Indigenous peoples and territories.