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PEOPLE
Our relationships, and support of each other, are at the core
of the work we do together. Empowerment of all employees to be their best enable each of us to make a difference and give everyone a chance to be heard. These values extend to the communities in which we work; our employees are encouraged and supported
to give back to their communities with paid time off when volunteering locally, either with their professional organizations
or through non-profit community organizations.
In January 2015, NOVAGOLD adopted a Human Rights Policy accepting and embracing our responsibility to respect human rights as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and as articulated within the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the United Nations Global Compact, and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
In 2020, women comprised 46 percent (six of 13) of NOVAGOLD’s employees. Selection of individuals for all positions with the company is guided by our Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics, a policy that prohibits discrimination in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, pregnancy, genetic information (including
of a family member), marital status, parenthood, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or other protected status. All Donlin Gold positions, including those hired through contractors, have a Calista and TKC shareholder
hire preference. For the 2020 drill program, 80 percent of Donlin Gold’s direct hires were Alaska Natives. This is a continuation of the success of Donlin Gold’s local hiring program initiated during the exploration phase, and clearly demonstrates that the development of a skilled local workforce is an achievable goal.
Access to training and education are two of the important areas where we collaborate with our Native Corporation partners. For example, scholarships are awarded to students selected
by Calista and TKC and funded by Donlin Gold. Calista has awarded scholarships to 225 students, 158 of whom attended,
or are attending, Alaska post-secondary institutions. Among the scholarship recipients there are 10 Y-K villages represented, with chosen majors including business, education, engineering, health, humanities, and Indigenous studies. Donlin Gold also hosted two week-long virtual Alaska Resource Education minerals camps in 2020 for Y-K students.
A Donlin Gold workforce training and development plan
will be implemented prior to construction and production activities. In addition, Donlin Gold will continue to foster a work environment that recognizes the unique nature of the region’s Alaska Native culture. Important items that will be considered in the development of the project include the importance of subsistence harvesting activities, cross-cultural training for employees and supervisors, the importance of family relationships, and providing local employment.
2020 DIVERSITY
80%
OF DIRECT HIRES FOR DONLIN GOLD’S DRILL PROGRAM WERE ALASKA NATIVES
46%
OF NOVAGOLD’S EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN
8%
OF NOVAGOLD’S EMPLOYEES ARE ETHNIC MINORITIES
30%
OF NOVAGOLD’S BOARD MEMBERS ARE WOMEN
20%
OF NOVAGOLD’S BOARD MEMBERS ARE ETHNIC MINORITIES
Applicable Corporate Policies can be found at https://www.novagold.com/company/governance/ including Environmental Policy; Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; Anti-Corruption, Anti- Bribery, Anti-Fraud; Health and Safety; Human Rights Policy; and Social License and Sustainable Development.
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