Sask. First Nations want fair deal with mining companies

FIRST NATIONS IN SASKATCHEWAN WANT TO
ensure they get a fair deal in regard to jobs and benefits from mining companies and those producing potash in their territories and they are calling on the province to help. The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations believes potash companies operating in Saskatchewan should enter into revenue sharing deals with First Nations and to consult with them about mining projects. “It’s certainly something that we’re asking for in terms of greater economic benefit. We feel that we’ve never given up the rights to natural resources,” said Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Guy Lonechild. Premier Brad Wall, however, believes the kinds of restrictions being asked for would be bad for business. “I think if you start forcing it, if you start listing a bunch of rules, if you try to put a gun to the head of these companies, it might be counter-productive, because they might just find a place where all those restrictions aren’t there to invest. And that’s not going to help anybody, either First Nations or non-First Nations.”