First Nations legal rights regarding land and resources are always challenged. This is true in every country that aboriginal people are in existance. No matter what the courts decide in the various jurisdictions, aboriginal groups are a force to be reckoned with and they have to be included and treated with respect in such matters. Generally, they want land ownership and environmental degradation issues agreed upon as well as employment and economic benefits for their people.

For instance, at Voiseys Bay shortly after discovery in the early nineties, a group of militant Innu attacked a drilling site and burned a pumphouse and damaged some equipment. In 1995, Diamond Fields was given an eviction order by the Innu. The Innu Nation demanded drilling stop until an environmental and cultural plan was developed. They protested on site for 12 days. In August of 1997, 250 members of a rare joint protest by the Innu Nation and the Labrador Innuit Association was staged on site. This led to the Premier of NL sending 56 RCMP officers there to keep the peace at a "peaceful demonstration". Eventually things did get worked out. Following is an exerpt from a speech by INCO in June 2002:

We will give first consideration for employment and procurement opportunities to those living in communities adjacent to our operations.

In Labrador, this principle has been expanded to accommodate commitments we have made to LIA and Innu Nation in Impacts and Benefits Agreements. In the IBAs we have committed to maximize Aboriginal involvement in the project. That means we we have established specific employment targets and objectives for Aboriginal employment and we have identified specific opportunities for Aboriginal companies/joint ventures.

Aboriginal businesses and organizations will have priority for procurement opportunities associated with all business activity at Voisey’s Bay. That being said we will also consider ‘best value’ and competitiveness when evaluating bids from all potential suppliers.

In addition, we and our contractors will develop proactive training programs to help individuals acquire the skills necessary for the construction and operation of our facilities.

To ensure that everyone in the Province can avail of project opportunities as they arise, we will have clear and open communications with potential employees and suppliers.

We will be reactivating our project office in Nain, establishing new offices in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Argentia, and continuing our operations in St. John’s. These offices will provide timely project information on procurement, training and employment opportunities.

In the end, respect and inclusion won out. I am sure there are still problems in the day to day business dealings but the project eventually got the green light, same as countless others on First Nation land. Our dispute will be settled as well.