Six Rivers Fund

Legacy Fund Shares Benefits from Uranium Mining with Northern Communities

On April 11, 2016, community leaders from across northern Saskatchewan, Cameco, and Orano (formerly AREVA Resources Canada Inc.) announced the establishment of a legacy trust fund to provide funding for community projects for decades to come. Six Rivers Fund, an independent non-profit corporation, will support projects and initiatives across the northern administration district (NAD) that focus on youth, education, sports, recreation and health and wellness.

The Six Rivers Fund makes community investments using the interest from a trust funded by Cameco and AREVA with proceeds from uranium recovery at the Key Lake operation.

The Six Rivers Fund reflects a new approach to sharing the benefit of resource development with local communities. The fund was developed with leaders from across the north representing First Nations, Metis and municipalities.

The fund’s governance structure includes representation from all regions in decision making and favours initiatives with pan-northern benefit. All project funding decisions will be made by the four-member board of the Six Rivers Fund, which will have representation from all regions of northern Saskatchewan. Initial board members are Victor Fern of Fond du Lac (chair), Angie Merasty of Pelican Narrows, Isidore Campbell, an English River First Nation member from Beauval, and William Dumais of Southend.

“The uranium mining industry delivers tremendous benefit to the people of northern Saskatchewan now through employment, training, business development and community investment,” said Tim Gitzel, president and CEO of Cameco. “The trust provides a lasting source of funding for initiatives and puts northerners in control to direct the funding to where it can do the greatest good based on their own priorities.”

“We are building something for the future,” said Six Rivers Fund board chair Victor Fern. “This is something that will continue to grow and has potential to deliver benefits far into the future beyond the life of the mines.”

The Six Rivers Fund recently released its 2022 Annual Report highlighting a number of projects and funding highlights. For more information, please visit www.SixRiversFund.ca