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There are no roads into Schefferville, in northern Quebec. The only way in and out is by plane or train.
Over the years, locals have come to rely on the railway for almost everything: food, medicine, supplies for local businesses – even building materials. Imagine trying to build or renovate your home and getting supplies by airplane?
And now Tanis Peterson – Sept-Îles local and Executive Director of Tshiuetin Rail Transportation, Inc – is determined to find more ways the railway can help grow the region. And having started her career as a train conductor, she knows the ins and outs of the business.
“I look at the potential, and I get so excited,” Tanis says.
“There are many different business avenues to explore, like improving the freight service, providing mechanical services to other companies in the region and making improvements to the track.
“And I’m so driven to help our employees by offering them the training they need to grow,” she says.
In 2005, the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) sold part of the railway for $1 to a collective of three Indigenous communities who live in the area: the Innu of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam and Matimekush-Lac John, and the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach.
“When we purchased the railway, we embarked on repairs and overhauls of equipment,” Tanis says.
“It required special capabilities and knowledge that we didn't have at the time, so IOC and the Quebec North Shore & Labrador (QNS&L) railway were there to help us – and their support continues today.”
And the partnership has been just as important for IOC.
“It’s really shown the power of what you can achieve when you work together,” says Donald Tremblay, interim President and Chief Executive Officer at IOC.
“When we collaborate, we can all benefit from the sustainable and responsible development of resources.”
Since then, the service from Sept-Îles to Schefferville in Quebec, has brought employment and economic activity. To help support the region, Tanis says Tshiuetin Rail tries to hire local whenever possible. Today, 98% of the workforce is from Schefferville and Sept- Îles, and the railway provides job opportunities for young people too. Plus, the bi-weekly service gives young people the option to pursue careers or study outside the region, while staying connected to home.
IOC has a long tradition of community support and believes in building relationships with local communities and partners
The results speak for themselves – Tanis says that since they gained ownership, both lifestyle and living conditions have improved.
“We always encourage Indigenous-owned companies to bid on our work. So sometimes there’s a trickle-down effect and we can create even more employment. Plus, if they’re making a profit, that money goes right back into the community.”
But most of all, locals are proud of their railway – it’s the heart of their community. And the railway team are like family: On any given day, you’ll find neighbours helping neighbours get supplies or friends taking friends to visit relatives. The railway has become an integral part of the community’s spirit – even the Tshiuetin’s logo was designed by a local, as part of a community art competition.
“I think it was a very innovative and courageous move by the three Indigenous communities to come together,” Tanis says.
“They recognized the economic benefits and potential employment opportunities that would come with owning the railway, with support from IOC.
“Railway is important across Canada, but I feel this one's special because we’re serving these communities in such an important way. I’m very, very proud to be part of that.”
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With the exception of the use of cookies (explained below), Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
Part 1 of this Privacy Policy contains the Rio Tinto Data Privacy Standard, which provides an overview of Rio Tinto’s approach to personal data processing. There is additional information in the appendices to the Data Privacy Standard, including information about disclosures, trans-border data transfers, the exercise of data subject rights and how to make complaints or obtain further information relating to Rio Tinto’s processing of your personal data.
If you choose to subscribe to our media releases or other communications, you can unsubscribe at any time (by following the instructions in the email or by contacting us at digital.comms@riotinto.com).
With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site.
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As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of this Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
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