Respect First Nations and WIN article back in January 2011 ...

If business wants to be successful in securing major natural resource projects, they must have the full participation of First Nations whose traditional territories the project is located on, the eighth annual B.C. Natural Resource Forum was told Thursday.

Jody Wilson-Raybould, the regional chief for the B.C. Assembly of Nations, stopped short of saying she believed that First Nations have a veto on resource projects, but stressed that industry needs to establish a fundamental relationship that respects First Nations culture and interests.

She pointed to Taseko's $800-million Prosperity gold and copper project as an example of what happens when First Nation and industry interests collide. The mine was rejected by the federal government after a review found it would cause significant adverse environmental effects on fish and fish habitat, traditional First Nations use and on aboriginal rights.

She recommended companies engage First Nations first and early.

"First Nations must be consulted, and their issues must be addressed," Wilson said in an interview on the second day of the two-day resource forum at the Civci Centre.

Wilson-Raybould challenged industry to embrace the theme of the forum, where participants heard on day one that if you want to do business in Asia, you must respect their culture, building up personal relationships.

Do the same with First Nations in British Columbia, she said.

Some First Nations have given support to projects in northern B.C., including the Tahltan Nation in northwest B.C. who have backed the proposed Galore Creek gold, silver and copper mine.

The McLeod Lake Indian Band is supporting the $900-million Mount Milligan gold and copper mine northwest of Prince George and was involved in the restart of Mackenzie's pulp mill, north of the city.

McLeod Lake Indian Band chief Derek Orr said his community is always looking for jobs for its people, contracts for its companies and revenue-sharing.

Through an award of a provincial timber harvesting licence that helped restart the Mackenzie pulp mill, the band secured jobs and revenue-sharing.

The community has also signed a revenue-sharing agreement with the Mount Milligan project expected to provide $35 million to $40 million to the band over the mine's 15-year life.

"We have a promising future of a sustainable economy, all because of relationships with industry and government, and proper governance in our community," said Orr.

Plutonic Power CEO Donald McInnes said the first calls he made when he was contemplating the $660-million Toba Montrose hydroelectric project was to the three First Nations chiefs in the area.

McInnes added that business cannot presume to know what First Nation will want. You must listen to their needs: Some may want jobs and contracts, others may want training and education, he said.

There are examples of projects that have faced stiff First Nation opposition in northern B.C., including Northgate Mineral's $200-million Kemess North gold and copper project. That project was rejected by a federal government review.

The $900-million Mount Milligan mine faces opposition by the Nak'azdli First Nation, and the proposed $5.5-billion Enbridge oil pipeline faces opposition by numerous First Nations.

While legal precedents from Canada's highest court show that governments must consult and, where appropriate, accommodate First Nations concerns on natural resource projects, the rulings do not provide a veto.

B.C. Forests and Mining Minister Pat Bell, who hosted the fourm, said companies that want a smoother ride for their project must engage First Nations. He said the government must also do a better job of working with First Nations earlier.

Ervine Sutherland made an impassioned plea Thursday to the B.C. Natural Resource Forum, saying despite his experience and desire for work, he can't find a job.

Sutherland, a Saik'uz First Nation member who lives in Prince George, told the forum during a question and answer period he has millwright experience but no journeyman ticket.

He can't afford the cost to upgrade, and his band and other agencies don't fund the kind of education he's looking for, said Sutherland.