Members of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (BON) have voted against a proposed partnership with a silica mining company following a community referendum held last week. According to results shared by the First Nation on Facebook, 310 ballots were cast. A total of 181 members voted “no” to the proposal, while 129 voted “yes.” In the social media post, Chief and council thanked community members for participating and said they respect the outcome. “Any proposal to extract resources from our territory must be presented to our membership,” the post read. “This is the expectation of BON for all resource development proponents and is an important step in ensuring our members are meaningfully involved in decision-making.” The leadership said the referendum will serve as a foundation for developing clearer, community-driven processes for future engagement. Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is located about 70 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. In a statement, Sio Silica said it respected the decision made by Brokenhead, but added “it is difficult to see how widespread misinformation influenced the conversation.” “Our project is built on science, rigorous environmental oversight, and a commitment to share its benefits with First Nations. This is an opportunity to position Manitoba as leaders in critical minerals, proving that the economy and the environment are not opposing forces,” the company said in a statement. “Responsible development can protect our land and water while creating jobs, generating revenue, and building long-term prosperity. The mining industry needs help from all stakeholders to ensure the public debate is based on facts, not fear, and to remind people that mining is essential to daily life — from the phones in our hands, to the vehicles we drive, to the infrastructure our communities rely on.”
