Clean Air Metals Inc (TSX-V:AIR, OTCQB:CLRMF). has announced the appointment of Shannin Metatawabin, currently the CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association to its board of directors effective immediately.
The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association is an umbrella organization for a network of 59 Aboriginal Financial Institutions across Canada which has provided nearly $3 billion to support economic development and the unique and specific needs of 50,000 small and medium-sized loans to First Nation, Metis and Inuit across Canada over the past 30 years, the company noted.
"Clean Air Metals is fundamentally committed to being a leader and innovator in ESG principles and implementation as we progress the Thunder Bay North project from exploration through development to a long-term, sustainable operating mine. We are incredibly pleased to have Shannin join the board where his experience and mentorship will help management and the Board achieve these goals," Jim Gallagher, executive chair of the company's board said in a statement.
"I like the way Clean Air Metals is leading the industry in ensuring community participation in both the process and the opportunity," added Metatawabin, accepting the position.
READ: Clean Air Metals releases new assay results from Thunder Bay North Project
Metatawabin who is Cree / Inninow from the Fort Albany (Pethtabeck) First Nation of the Mushkegowuk Cree Nation, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Carleton University and an Aboriginal Economic Development Certificate from the University of Waterloo. He previously served as the manager of Aboriginal Affairs and Sustainability with De Beers Canada and as the executive director of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation.
Clean Air Metals and its wholly-owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Thunder Bay North project is on the traditional territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock First Nation and Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek. The parties together are the cooperating participants in a memorandum of agreement dated January 9, 2021.
The company said it appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, traveled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial.
"Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation," added the company.
Following Metatawabin's appointment, Clean Air said it has granted 400,000 incentive stock options under its stock option plan, subject to regulatory approval. The stock options are exercisable at a price of $0.265 per share, for a term of 5 years from the date of issue.