Whether it be with Dene, Métis or Inuit communities, the opportunity lies with the mining companies themselves to create engagement and transparency at the very beginning.
One thing I would say about the permitting system in NWT and Nunavut is that it's a co-management system, so you can't really progress without the engagement of the communities. Business opportunities are part of that engagement. As long as a company engages early and often, those opportunities will continue to happen as a mine develops.
I would suggest that if you look at the Tłı̨chǫ and the Akaitcho in the diamond mining area of the NWT and ask the people there about mine closures, they will tell you that it will definitely hurt them when those mines close down and they lose the benefits they have received from them. The four diamond mines that were operational at one time in the NWT were all established under a co-management system that allowed indigenous businesses to be involved in the development of those mines. Early engagement and opportunities for Dene, Métis and Inuit are absolutely critical aspects of any mine development now.
If there is road access, it significantly lowers the cost of exploration, even if it's a winter road.