Alan Coutts's Noront Resources Ltd. (NOT) slipped one-half cent to 39.5 cents on 71,000 shares. The company, which is working on obtaining environmental approval for its Eagle's Nest project in Northern Ontario, spent the day applauding the province and nine Northern Indian bands. After eight months of rigorous discussion, the government and the Indians have agreed upon a "framework" for developing Canada's Ring of Fire. They signed the deal today at a ceremony that included a drum circle. The remote Indian bands, which were prone to blockades until companies started showing up with gifts at Christmas, have now decided to support Northern development. In return, they want access to gridline transmission and a transportation corridor (road or train), as well as plenty of community spending. Revenue sharing has yet to be discussed; that will probably take much longer than eight months. In any event, Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle seemed pleased. He said this framework is key to many other decisions. He will be speaking at a business luncheon in Sudbury tomorrow.