CUTHAND

Aboriginals can be partners, not just paupers

Under new rules for development of energy projects, First Nations must be involved in the discussions on a nation-to-nation basis. The Supreme Court also has mandated that governments have a duty to consult with First Nations on resource projects within traditional aboriginal territory.

Business fears this will constitute a veto and that First Nations will doom future resource development. We get the same knee-jerk reaction from the business community and right-wing commentators each time our jurisdiction or treaty and aboriginal rights are recognized.

The federal or provincial governments can deny any environmentally risky resource project, in effect giving them a veto. What's wrong with allowing First Nations governments the same right?

The problem is that business sees First Nations as an impediment to progress, and thinks they will say no if they have the opportunity. As things stand, business is partially correct. First Nations across Canada have reviewed energy and resource projects and found them wanting in revenue sharing, employment and business opportunities.

The history of First Nations involvement in resource development has seen our people pulled between the business community and environmentalists. This has not been to our benefit, and it doesn't advance our agenda. Both sides automatically assume their position is what's best for us. However, First Nations have a two-pronged agenda.

On the one hand we have a close connection to the land and want to protect the environment. On the other, we need to be involved and cannot be left behind. Our people need jobs, and our communities need income. We need to participate in resource development by building up our businesses and through resource revenue sharing.

Up to now, "consultation" has been used to describe the relationship between First Nations and the provincial and federal governments. The Tories would try to their sales pitch and be upset when our leaders didn't buy it. They would call their one-sided pitch "consultation."

Consultation must be changed to negotiation. If government and business want to move oil through our territory or develop resources, then they should pay for it. If they are likely to mess up the environment, then they must be monitored and plans made for reclamation.

Consultation is a weak and vague term. It can be interpreted as simply one side telling the other what it plans to do. Negotiation, however, carries real action and the ability to effect change. Our participation must be serious, with business opportunities such as those we have in mines in Northern Saskatchewan.

Our people have shown they are a reliable workforce when they are treated properly. A few years ago, when the oil boom was on in Alberta, a lot of the workers in Saskatchewan northern mines moved on to the oilpatch. But the aboriginal workers, who have roots in the northern communities, stayed put. We are the stay-at-home workers.

The treaties between the Crown and the First Nations were meant to open the door for settlement. We were told we would share the land, and for some time our people hunted, trapped and fished unimpeded. However, as settlement increased First Nations were pushed aside.

The provincial government must open the door to resource revenue sharing and raise the standard of living for First Nations people.

Meaningful resource development that includes our people as partners, instead of paupers, is the future. The interests of environmentalists and the business community will have to take a back seat to our agenda, which doesn't have to be at odds with their needs.

Doug Cuthand is an aboriginal blogger with the Saskatoon Star Phoenix.