From May 26 to June 4, as part of the PhD seminar organized jointly by MinErAL and REXSAC, with funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers, a group of Canadian and Scandinavian researchers and doctoral students had the opportunity to discuss with various mining and community development stakeholders from the cities of Schefferville, Fermont and Labrador City.
The seminar consisted of a series of readings, presentations, field visits and meetings with local stakeholders. Participants met with elders, band council members and visited schools in the Innu community of Matimekush-Lac John and the Naskapi community of Kawawachikamach. They also met with members of the administration of the cities of Schefferville and Fermont, as well as representatives of the Tata Steel, Arcelor Mittal, Minerai de Fer Québec (Champion) and Iron Ore Company (IOC) mines. These activities have given them a better understanding of the governance issues facing mining cities in northern Quebec, how they deal with their mining heritage and how they are responding to rapid market changes.
To get an overview of the different visits made during this doctoral school, consult the blogs of Dag Avango, Arn Keeling, Christian Fohringer and Pierre Nachet:
Travelling workshop and PhD student course in Canada – building interdisciplinary collaboration – Dag Avango
Tracing the Trough (Part 1): Exploring the history and future of mining in Quebec and Labrador – Arn Keeling
REXSAC students and researchers join MinErAL for an 8-day PhD course in northern Quebec and Labrador, Canada – Chris Fohringer
Enjoy!