It is amazing how low profile attitude of the government always create problems .

It seems that they are trying to tire the natives down with very prolonged negotiations instead of realizing that the laid back live style of the FN people plays in their favor.

Governments not complying with treaties which have relevance to mining in NAN territory.

As what has been dubbed ‘chromite fever’ catches on in the Ring of Fire area, Nishnawbe Aski Nation is pleased to see more interest, on the part of the mining industry, in Treaties No. 9 and 5.

Recently, Frank Smeenk, president of KWG Resources Inc., submitted a letter to Wawatay saying: ‘The treaty promised to respect their (First Nations) traditional ways.’

He made this reference to support his argument that the methods of using the traditional ways as sustenance in the Ring of Fire area are no longer appropriate and that First Nations now need to find different ways to improve socio-economic conditions.

Again in another media outlet, an individual expressed a view that the ‘government is using the mining industry as pawns to avoid forcing treaty compliance.’

I wholeheartedly agree with the statement that the government is not complying with the treaty and that it is crucial for government to settle outstanding differences. It is truly unfortunate that the exploration and mining industry have to bear the brunt of our treaty partner’s inability to do so.

In saying that, the First Nations in NAN want to have an honest two-way look at the ‘spirit and intent’ of the treaties outside of government frameworks and laws. The manner in which the treaty making process took place in Canada was unjust and that in order to achieve true reconciliation, we also have to look at the context in which the treaty was signed and go beyond the words that were put before a nation of people whose mother tongue was inherently different.

When the 100 year commemoration of James Bay Treaty No. 9 took place in 2005, the governments of Ontario and Canada refused to sign on to a Treaty Affirmation Statement that would acknowledge their role in the treaty making process.

If we are ever to achieve the stability that the exploration and mining industry so naively expect to be in place without first resolving the spirit and intent of the treaties, then the Crown should reconsider its unwillingness to interpret the treaty (and the treaty making process) outside of the current colonialist mentality.

Over the next few months, NAN will be taking the time to develop a strategy with its leadership on how to address this issue so that there could be better certainty for all.

Stan Beardy
Grand Chief
Nishnawbe Aski Nation