Canada is rich in natural resources, including both renewable and non-renewable. We occupy the second-largest land mass on the globe, which forms a vast storehouse of minerals and hydrocarbons, as well as the boreal forest, which covers about 60 per cent of the land mass.
Most resource wealth exists in First Nations traditional territory that may be covered by treaties or is the subject of a land claim. This situation has created a controversy about the role our people should play in resource development.
Should we embrace resource extraction or should we oppose any resource development? The point of view across Indian country runs to both ends of the argument. Most First Nations come down somewhere in the middle. Each project is reviewed and judged on its own merits.
A number of resource megaprojects are either in operation or on the drawing board. The Alberta oilsands are an example of one in production. Aboriginal people are involved as workers and suppliers. Aboriginal people are also among the project’s biggest opponents. The oilsands have made a wasteland out of hundreds of square kilometres of northern Alberta, and downstream communities are feeling the effects of the pollution.
The community of Fort Chipewyan has experienced a marked increase in rare cancers that have been attributed to oilsands pollution. A study done by the University of Manitoba found that fish and animals eaten by the local residents contain high concentrations of carcinogenic contaminants.
In B.C., the Northern Gateway pipeline has come up against strong opposition from First Nations. This opposition stems from two factors. First, most of the province has never been ceded to the Crown through treaty.
As was shown in the Tsilhqot’in case, First Nations still hold title to the land and the Northern Gateway pipeline is planned to cross it.
The second issue about the Gateway pipeline is the environmental cost and risk. The pipeline will be built on an east-west axis through B.C., crossing rivers, watersheds and wildlife habitat and then transported through a 185-kilometre coastal water route with navigational challenges.
The opposition from aboriginal and First Nations groups is overwhelming. There are, however, numerous other pipelines crossing the Prairies that actively involve First Nations workers. It’s a case of looking at each project on its own merits and making a choice.
The outstanding issues of land claims and resource revenue-sharing are critical if governments expect to get First Nations support for resource projects. So far, both the federal government and the provincial governments have avoided the issue.
Our elders have told us the spirit and intent of the Prairie treaties was that we would share the land and not be pushed aside. Also, treaty negotiators told our chiefs they wanted the land for agricultural settlement. The topic of mineral rights never came up. It was silent, and under contract law, if an item is silent, it is not included in the agreement.
With the absence of any government commitment to land claims or revenue-sharing, the focus has fallen on the private sector and piecemeal agreements.
The resource companies originally offered jobs and training, which was a good first step, but only a first step. First Nations are now more interested in gaining equity in projects that will provide long-term benefits. We also need business development so our companies can bid on contracts and have the ability to compete at a variety of job sites.
The key is wealth creation. Businesses don’t go out to create jobs, no matter what they might say. People go into business to make money, and our people are no different. Businesses build equity and companies grow in experience and expertise.
As it stands now, our corporations exist in northern resource development and fringe industries such as casinos. We must compete in the mainstream if we are going to expand our wealth. Resource development is giving us that opportunity, but our support must be based on each industry and each project.
Doug Cuthand is a columnist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
