CEOs: Aboriginal say in natural resource development

[jacee]

Don't lose sight of the fact that the Canadian Council of Chief Executives is a group made up of hundreds of companies, large and small. John Manley is their President and Chief Executive Officer.

http://www.ceocouncil.ca/about-ccce/members

Chances are any company vying to do business with aboriginal communities is on that list of members and are all singing from the same songbook.

They are all singing the same tune: that the. Governments must come to the table.

According to the Supreme Court, the responsibility for implementing the 'duty to consult and accommodate' lies with the provincial and federal 'Crown', but they are not cooperating. They should be providing the framework, guiding the process, documenting outcomes and agreements, etc, but they are absent. Corporations and Aboriginal governance are ready to go to work, but 'the Crown' is delaying by simply not being there.

Read the article again. That is its main point.

Since resource development is a provincial responsibility, it is provincial governments that are failing to do their duty and thus delaying resource operations. They could be held liable in court - at a cost to everyone - but this article is a cheaper attempt to put pressure on them.

Provinces are developing appropriate policies so they know how to go about this new responsibility, but they are way too slow in staffing and implementing these functions.

one of the most profound changes in recent Canadian history, however, aboriginal people are now poised both to shape and capitalize on the wealth- producing possibilities of resource extraction. We don’t appreciate the positive significance of what has happened because too many of us are still stuck in the politics of confrontation of the 1980s and 1990s. Then indigenous leaders fought for political attention, constitutional guarantees, redress of historical grievances, land claims settlements, self-government and resource rights. That generation of

indigenous leaders was hugely successful, and changed the country in the process. Moreover, the Supreme Court has decreed governments and mining companies have a duty to consult aboriginal people before proceeding with development projects. Like it or not indigenous peoples will henceforth be major players in Canada’s resource economy.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/touch/business/story.html?id=6954284

[jacee]

Mr. Atleo, a British Columbia hereditary chief, sees good education as a way to break the cycle of dependency on reserves. And he has a plan to boost reserves. And he has a plan to boost economic development in those communities.

The Supreme Court has said governments have a duty to meaningfully consult First Nations before permitting resource development on traditional territory. Mr. Atleo says that falls short of the mark. On Thursday he reiterated remarks made in March to Calgary business leaders that First Nations expect business leaders that First Nations expect Canada to hold to the test set by the UN declaration of indigenous rights, and secure the "free, prior and informed consent" of those with traditional claims.

Co-operation of native bands is proving increasingly important to the development of mines, pipelines and hydro projects. Provinces control development licences and the federal government must sign off on environmental protections. Without clear protocol for ensuring First Nations claims are respected, development grinds to a halt.

Mr. Atleo's demand for consent, rather than consultation, challenges governments and corporations to ensure First Nations communities and residents First Nations communities and residents are real participants in development plans. That does not mean ceding control, nor must it translate into dependency of a different kind. It should improve economies through community job training and co-investment -- dividends that continue to pay long after the mines fall silent.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/afn-chiefs-embrace-conciliatory-approach-163148876.html?device=mobile

And that "protocol" is the responsibility of governments, and 'the Crown' is noticeably absent from the tables, as the OP points out, delaying resource agreements and development.

[eyeball]

Like it or not indigenous peoples will henceforth be major players in Canada’s resource economy.

Some more than others given the nepotism and corruption that decades of contact with Ottawa has only deepened and enculturated. It's no wonder CEO's are so enthusiastic.

[Wild Bill]

I can guarantee that Bruce Coburn wouldn't be amused.

His "rocket launcher" was aimed at governments and corporations that stole land and resources and livelihoods from Indigenous Peoples - eg in Guatemala.

As usual, you pick at my model and completely ignore my point.

Focus, Jaycee! You're like a fart in a mitt sometimes!

Now, what about my point about perpetuating racism?

[blueblood]

Mr. Atleo, a British Columbia hereditary chief, sees good education as a way to break the cycle of dependency on reserves. And he has a plan to boost reserves. And he has a plan to boost economic development in those communities.

The Supreme Court has said governments have a duty to meaningfully consult First Nations before permitting resource development on traditional territory. Mr. Atleo says that falls short of the mark. On Thursday he reiterated remarks made in March to Calgary business leaders that First Nations expect business leaders that First Nations expect Canada to hold to the test set by the UN declaration of indigenous rights, and secure the "free, prior and informed consent" of those with traditional claims.

Co-operation of native bands is proving increasingly important to the development of mines, pipelines and hydro projects. Provinces control development licences and the federal government must sign off on environmental protections. Without clear protocol for ensuring First Nations claims are respected, development grinds to a halt.

Mr. Atleo's demand for consent, rather than consultation, challenges governments and corporations to ensure First Nations communities and residents First Nations communities and residents are real participants in development plans. That does not mean ceding control, nor must it translate into dependency of a different kind. It should improve economies through community job training and co-investment -- dividends that continue to pay long after the mines fall silent.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/afn-chiefs-embrace-conciliatory-approach-163148876.html?device=mobile

And that "protocol" is the responsibility of governments, and 'the Crown' is noticeably absent from the tables, as the OP points out, delaying resource agreements and development.

It's hard for capital to flow into some of those communities because the Indian act contravenes the bank act. And as we know throughout history, private lending from banks is the most efficient way to grow the economy and make people richer.

Why would the govt want to delay projects on fn reserves, the amount of tax dollars that comes in/saved from social assistance would be a benefit to everyone. Maybe it's govt red tape screwing them over again.

[jacee]

It's hard for capital to flow into some of those communities because the Indian act contravenes the bank act. And as we know throughout history, private lending from banks is the most efficient way to grow the economy and make people richer.

Why would the govt want to delay projects on fn reserves, the amount of tax dollars that comes in/saved from social assistance would be a benefit to everyone. Maybe it's govt red tape screwing them over again.

I think government was reluctant to tell industry they had to negotiate with First Nations. However, as the First Nations won case after case in court where resource development impacted Aboriginal rights, industry is now ready to negotiate and provincial governments are now ready to facilitate, document and ensure adequate agreements are completed.

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/prentice-to-first-nations-seize-resource-opportunities-before-it-s-too-late-1.541286

OTTAWA - One of Stephen Harper's former cabinet ministers is urging First Nations to seize the "incredible opportunities" in the energy and natural resource sectors before they get left behind.

Jim Prentice, who left government to become a top banking executive, said Tuesday that aboriginal peoples in this country now have the chance to cash in on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but the clock is ticking.

"They will need to seize that opportunity and use the so-called duty-to-consult to really negotiate economic participation in some of the resource projects that are happening across Canada," he told The Canadian Press."These are incredible opportunities. They don't come along necessarily very often, and so I think there's a historic opportunity, I think, over the next 25 years for First Nations to benefit from these opportunities if they negotiate to their advantage."

Prentice delivered the same message Tuesday in Whitehorse at the annual gathering of the Assembly of First Nations.

His words carry considerable weight with many First Nations people. The former aboriginal affairs minister and land-claims negotiator is well-respected for his work on and approach to First Nations issues.

But Prentice also has serious economic cachet as a senior executive at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and as a former minister of industry and minister of environment.

Prentice is an influential voice, with respect from Indigenous communities, industry and government - ie, everyone at those negotiating tables. He's a man who could make things happen if he was involved in the process.

Edited July 18, 2013 by jacee

[hitops]

Jacee, can you give me advice on how to con the government into thinking I'm native or metis? This would be greatly advantageous to me. And this is the difference between natives and people groups who are actually suffering or persecuted. I would never want to be a black in South Africa pre-apartheid, or a Jew in Nazi Germany or a Christian in Syria or Iraq. But getting native status in Canada would be like winning a small lottery. For my kids too. The cost impact of putting them through university alone.....

Edited July 18, 2013 by hitops

[Accountability Now]

Mr. Atleo's demand for consent, rather than consultation, challenges governments and corporations to ensure First Nations communities and residents First Nations communities and residents are real participants in development plans. That does not mean ceding control, nor must it translate into dependency of a different kind. It should improve economies through community job training and co-investment -- dividends that continue to pay long after the mines fall silent.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/afn-chiefs-embrace-conciliatory-approach-163148876.html?device=mobile

Hey Jacee....what's your take on the whole division amongst the AFN. Do you think it will have any effect on them to move forwards? It sounds like Mr Atleo may have more on his plate than just dealing with the Feds.

Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is heading up the National Treaty Gathering on the Onion Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, which could result in the creation of a breakaway group separate from the AFN.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/16/mb-amc-afn-onion-lake-status-cards.html

Edited July 18, 2013 by Accountability Now