Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSX-V: SCD) has issued a statement welcoming and commending the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach for advancing the first phase of the Naskapi Nuuhchiimiiu Maaskinuw Project, a community-driven initiative to assess potential multi-user access corridor options within the traditional Naskapi territory of Nuchimiyuschiiy. The project, announced by the Naskapi Nation on June 12, aims to examine environmental, cultural, social, and economic implications of possible corridors through engagement with community members, Elders, land users, and neighbouring Nations.
Scandium Canada's CEO Guy Bourassa expressed strong support for the Naskapi Nation's leadership, stating, "What matters to us is that the benefits of development reach the people whose land makes it possible. We are deeply committed to a relationship that delivers lasting, shared value to the Naskapi Nation and neighbouring communities." The Company emphasized that the Nuuhchiimiiu Maaskinuw Project is an independent initiative led by the Naskapi Nation, and Scandium Canada fully respects its objectives of gathering information, conducting due diligence, and supporting informed decision-making on future infrastructure options.
The announcement underscores the importance of Indigenous-led infrastructure planning in Nunavik. Scandium Canada believes that decisions about infrastructure in the region must involve all First Nations and Inuit sharing the territory. The Company recognizes the priorities placed at the centre of the Nation's work: environmental stewardship, traditional land use, Indigenous governance, and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and users of the corridor.
In alignment with the Nation's initiative, Scandium Canada continues its own engagement with Indigenous communities connected to its Crater Lake project, which includes a proposed hydrometallurgical plant in Schefferville. The Company aims to foster dialogue, understand community priorities, and build lasting relationships based on trust, mutual respect, and collaboration. The Crater Lake project is intended to become the most significant primary source of scandium in North America, supporting the development of aluminum-scandium alloys that meet the growing demand for lighter, greener, and higher-performance materials.
Scandium Canada's commitment to responsible development is reflected in its support for the Naskapi Nation's proactive approach to assessing infrastructure options. By backing the Nation's initiative, the Company demonstrates its recognition that meaningful community engagement and consent are essential for sustainable resource development. The forward-looking statements in the press release caution that the Naskapi Nation's assessment is independent, and Scandium Canada makes no representation as to its outcome, timing, or scope. The Company directs readers to its disclosure documents on SEDAR+ for a description of risks and assumptions related to its projects.
This development highlights the growing trend of Indigenous communities taking the lead in infrastructure planning that affects their territories. The Naskapi Nation's initiative sets a precedent for how resource companies can support and respect Indigenous sovereignty while pursuing development projects. For Scandium Canada, the alignment with the Naskapi Nation's priorities reinforces its commitment to building a more responsible economy through innovation and collaboration.
